Immigration is not a new phenomenon in the United States. Analysts estimate that around 30 million foreigners entered the United States between 1860 and 1920.[1] The huge influx caused considerable outcomes in the United States that produced heated debates regarding the influence of foreigners in the country. Some of the contemporary debates reflect the arguments that took place at that time. By 1907, immigration rate reached 1.2 million, but slowed down significantly at the end of the World War I. These rates augmented again after 1920s until in the 1930s during the great depression. From the 1950s to the contemporary United States, it is estimated that the country receives one million new immigrants annually. Some individuals in the country have expressed their concerns regarding the presence of immigrants, especially illegal immigrants. Other Western countries, such as the United Kingdom, have also expressed concerns over the presence of immigrants in their country.
Early immigrants into the United States were mainly from the European stock. The earliest immigrants were Germans who migrated into the Midwestern section of the country. Germans were followed by Italians, Irish, and Russians.[2] Even if these immigrants had a different language, their integration and assimilation did not have immense hurdles because they had a common heritage with other European Americans. However, in the recent years, especially from the mid-20th century immigrants countries’ of origin shifted substantially. Most of immigrants originated from Africa, Central and South America, and Asia. The influx of these immigrants caused considerable controversies. These immigrants had different languages and unique physique from that of earlier European immigrants. A significant number of Americans did not accept these immigrants as fellow compatriots.
These developments caused extensive concerns regarding the future of immigration in the United States. The reasons for increased immigration include fleeing from poor individual issues, seeking political freedom, searching for improved economic fortunes, and civil wars among others. Some of the pathways used in entering the United States include political refugee, special skills, extended family ties, green cards, and marriage.[3] Tourism and temporary working visas are also used as pathways for immigration. The other pathway is illegal immigration in which some individuals are in the United States without proper documentation. The illegal immigration route is the most controversial of the types of immigration techniques. It is estimated that more than around 33% of immigrants in the United States are in the country illegally. These statistics have caused negative attitudes toward all immigrants with increased calls for limitation of immigration. The following section examines immigration trends in different times.
Early immigrants into the United States were mainly from the European stock. The earliest immigrants were Germans who migrated into the Midwestern section of the country. Germans were followed by Italians, Irish, and Russians.[2] Even if these immigrants had a different language, their integration and assimilation did not have immense hurdles because they had a common heritage with other European Americans. However, in the recent years, especially from the mid-20th century immigrants countries’ of origin shifted substantially. Most of immigrants originated from Africa, Central and South America, and Asia. The influx of these immigrants caused considerable controversies. These immigrants had different languages and unique physique from that of earlier European immigrants. A significant number of Americans did not accept these immigrants as fellow compatriots.
These developments caused extensive concerns regarding the future of immigration in the United States. The reasons for increased immigration include fleeing from poor individual issues, seeking political freedom, searching for improved economic fortunes, and civil wars among others. Some of the pathways used in entering the United States include political refugee, special skills, extended family ties, green cards, and marriage.[3] Tourism and temporary working visas are also used as pathways for immigration. The other pathway is illegal immigration in which some individuals are in the United States without proper documentation. The illegal immigration route is the most controversial of the types of immigration techniques. It is estimated that more than around 33% of immigrants in the United States are in the country illegally. These statistics have caused negative attitudes toward all immigrants with increased calls for limitation of immigration. The following section examines immigration trends in different times.