The Pros and Cons of Immigration to the USA

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The Advantages and Disadvantages of Immigration to the USA ‘‘Remember, remember always, that all of us… are descended from immigrants and revolutionist’’ by Franklin D. Roosevelt. The United States is a nation of immigrants and the earliest people were the Native Americans who came from Asia. The rest of the people left Europe, Asia, Africa, the Caribbean, South and Central America, the islands of the Pacific, and the Middle East coming more towards the 18th century. The United States has witnessed the transformation from an American Indian population to a rich array of ethnicities and races. Due to high migration, the minority population is comprised of nearly as many Hispanics as Blacks, a surging number of Asians, and a small but growing American Indian population. America’s ethnic landscape also includes a rapid growing Arab population, a sizeable Jewish population and other ethic groups: African Americans, American Indians, Alaska Natives, Asians, Pacific Islanders and Hispanics. The reason for immigration to the United States in the period from the 18th century is quite clear. Land remained plentiful, and fairly cheap. Jobs were abundant; labor was scarce and relatively dear. A decline in the birthrate, as well as increases in industry and urbanization, reinforced this situation. The United States, in the 19th century, remained a strong magnet to immigrants, with offers of jobs and land for farms. Glowing reports from earlier arrivals who found success reinforced the nation that in America, the streets were ‘‘paved with gold’’, and there existed religious and political freedom. America was hyped up in many countries as ‘‘land of opportunity.’’ (www.bergen.org) The nation’s changing demographic prof... ... middle of paper ... ...creasingly shape the national character, adding racial and ethic diversity to schools, workplaces and legislatures. Therefore, these advantages and disadvantages of immigration still make people ponder to think whether immigration in the U.S. should be stopped or continued. ‘‘Everywhere immigrants have enriched and strengthened the fabric of American Life.’’ By John F. Kennedy Bibliographic References 1. Martin, Philip. Immigration to the United States. Vol. 54, No. 2 Population Reference Reference Bureau 2. Pollard, Kelvin. America’s racial and ethic population. U.S. Immgration. 3. O’Hare, William. www.prb.org 4. Dennis, Wilson. http://www.bergen.org 5. Simcox, David. The cost of immigration, http://www.cis.org 6. Martin, John. Center for Immigration Studies, Http://www.cis.org 7. Ziglar, James. Statement of commisoner at the INS, October, 2001

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