The United States of America is often referred to as ‘a nation of immigrants’. Over centuries, the prospect of achieving the American Dream has attracted immigrants from all over the world to the country. However, in recent decades many immigrants entered the USA illegally or stayed on after their visas had expired. Actually, the approximated number of undocumented immigrants currently living in the USA widely ranges from “11.5 million to 20 million” (Orchowski 2008, 69), the majority of them hailing from Latin American countries. This uncontrolled influx of immigrants causes various problems in the host nation. Illegal immigration from South and Central America to the USA undermines core elements of the American Dream such as the opportunity of climbing the social ladder, security of life and liberty, and America’s social security for everyone living in the U.S.
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- The Undermining of the American Dream through Illegal Immigration
- First, Undocumented Immigrants from South and Central America Often Cannot Climb the Social Ladder to Achieve the American Dream
- Furthermore, Many Illegal Immigrants from Mexico and Other Latin American Countries Encounter Poor Living Conditions in the USA
- A Lot of Illegal Immigrants from Central or South American Countries Are Discriminated Against in the United States of America
- Second, Illegal Immigration Endangers the Lives and Liberties of Immigrants and Residents Alike Because It Is Often Connected to Serious Crimes
- Moreover, Illegal Immigration via the Mexican-American Border Is Frequently Linked to Drug Trafficking
- Undocumented Immigration via the Mexican-American Border Is Also a Serious Threat to the Lives and Liberties of Legal Residents
- Finally, Illegal Immigration Stresses Public Facilities, Imperiling the American Tax-Sponsored Social Security
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This essay aims to analyze how illegal immigration from South and Central America undermines the American Dream. It explores the negative consequences of this immigration on various aspects of American life.
- The impact of illegal immigration on social mobility and economic opportunity for immigrants.
- The challenges faced by undocumented immigrants in terms of living conditions and social integration.
- The link between illegal immigration and crime, including human trafficking and drug smuggling.
- The strain on public resources and services caused by illegal immigration.
- The experiences of discrimination and prejudice faced by undocumented immigrants.
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
The Undermining of the American Dream through Illegal Immigration: This introductory section establishes the central argument: that illegal immigration from Latin America undermines core tenets of the American Dream, specifically social mobility, safety and security, and access to social security. It highlights the scale of undocumented immigration and foreshadows the essay's exploration of the negative consequences.
First, Undocumented Immigrants from South and Central America Often Cannot Climb the Social Ladder to Achieve the American Dream: This section details how the illegal status of immigrants severely limits their economic prospects. It focuses on exploitative labor practices, low wages, and intense competition for low-paying jobs, illustrating the impossibility of upward mobility for many undocumented workers. Examples from California's agricultural sector and the restaurant industry demonstrate the prevalence of these issues, highlighting the significant wage gap between legal and undocumented workers. The constant influx of new immigrants exacerbates this competition and further depresses wages.
Furthermore, Many Illegal Immigrants from Mexico and Other Latin American Countries Encounter Poor Living Conditions in the USA: This section examines the substandard living conditions faced by many undocumented immigrants. The essay argues that despite the hope of economic improvement, many families live below the poverty line, unable to provide basic necessities for their children. The text uses examples of overcrowded housing and lack of essential amenities to illustrate the harsh realities faced by these families, highlighting the significant contrast between their living standards and those of the broader American population. The development of shared living arrangements as a survival strategy in the United States is analyzed as a consequence of these economic hardships.
A Lot of Illegal Immigrants from Central or South American Countries Are Discriminated Against in the United States of America: This section focuses on the discrimination and prejudice experienced by undocumented immigrants. It describes workplace exploitation and abuse, stemming from their vulnerable legal status and lack of recourse. The fear of deportation prevents many from reporting mistreatment. The essay also explores societal discrimination, highlighting negative attitudes towards immigrants, accusations of crime, and the perception of a threat to national unity. These factors collectively hinder social integration and limit opportunities for upward mobility.
Second, Illegal Immigration Endangers the Lives and Liberties of Immigrants and Residents Alike Because It Is Often Connected to Serious Crimes: This section connects illegal immigration to the dangers of human smuggling. The essay highlights the inhumane treatment and life-threatening conditions endured by immigrants during their journey, emphasizing the high cost of smuggling and the risk of violence and exploitation by smugglers. The process is described as a lucrative and often dangerous business, endangering both the immigrants and those involved in the process.
Moreover, Illegal Immigration via the Mexican-American Border Is Frequently Linked to Drug Trafficking: This section details the link between illegal immigration and drug trafficking. The essay describes how border regions become channels for drug smuggling and points to the resulting violence and risk to both residents and immigrants. The involvement of powerful drug cartels and examples of drug smuggling operations involving undocumented immigrants are used to illustrate this dangerous connection. The significant damage caused by this illicit activity is emphasized.
Undocumented Immigration via the Mexican-American Border Is Also a Serious Threat to the Lives and Liberties of Legal Residents: This section focuses on the impact of illegal immigration on legal residents. While acknowledging that most undocumented immigrants are not criminals, it highlights incidents of violent crime potentially linked to illegal border crossings and the resulting fear and insecurity among legal residents. The essay also explores the economic impact of cross-border trademark infringement, emphasizing the significant economic losses to American businesses and workers.
Finally, Illegal Immigration Stresses Public Facilities, Imperiling the American Tax-Sponsored Social Security: This section examines the strain on public resources and services. The essay highlights the costs associated with educating children of undocumented immigrants in public schools, presenting data on the substantial financial burden on taxpayers. The issue of in-state tuition rates for undocumented students in colleges is also mentioned, further emphasizing the financial implications for the public system.
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
Illegal immigration, American Dream, social mobility, economic opportunity, discrimination, crime, drug trafficking, human smuggling, public resources, social security, Latin American immigrants, undocumented workers, exploitative labor practices.
Frequently Asked Questions: The Undermining of the American Dream through Illegal Immigration
What is the main argument of this essay?
The essay argues that illegal immigration from South and Central America undermines the American Dream by negatively impacting social mobility, safety and security, and access to social security for both immigrants and legal residents.
How does illegal immigration affect social mobility and economic opportunity for immigrants?
The essay contends that undocumented immigrants often face exploitative labor practices, low wages, and intense competition for low-paying jobs, hindering their ability to climb the social ladder and achieve the American Dream. Their illegal status severely limits their economic prospects.
What are the living conditions like for many undocumented immigrants in the USA?
Many undocumented immigrants experience substandard living conditions, including overcrowded housing and lack of essential amenities, often living below the poverty line despite hoping for economic improvement. Shared living arrangements become a common survival strategy.
What kind of discrimination do undocumented immigrants face?
Undocumented immigrants face significant discrimination and prejudice, including workplace exploitation, societal discrimination, and negative attitudes fueled by fear of deportation and accusations of crime. This hinders their social integration and opportunities.
How is illegal immigration connected to crime?
The essay links illegal immigration to serious crimes, particularly human smuggling and drug trafficking. The dangerous journey undertaken by immigrants, the inhumane treatment by smugglers, and the involvement of drug cartels contribute to a dangerous situation impacting both immigrants and residents.
How does illegal immigration affect the lives and liberties of legal residents?
While acknowledging most undocumented immigrants are not criminals, the essay highlights incidents of violent crime potentially connected to illegal border crossings and the fear and insecurity this creates among legal residents. Economic impacts, such as cross-border trademark infringement, are also discussed.
What is the strain on public resources and services caused by illegal immigration?
Illegal immigration places a strain on public resources, particularly public education. The essay highlights the financial burden on taxpayers for educating the children of undocumented immigrants and discusses the implications of in-state tuition rates for undocumented students in colleges.
What are the key themes explored in the essay?
Key themes include the impact of illegal immigration on social mobility, living conditions, crime (including human trafficking and drug smuggling), the strain on public resources, and the experiences of discrimination faced by undocumented immigrants.
What are the key words associated with this essay?
Keywords include: Illegal immigration, American Dream, social mobility, economic opportunity, discrimination, crime, drug trafficking, human smuggling, public resources, social security, Latin American immigrants, undocumented workers, and exploitative labor practices.
- Arbeit zitieren
- Maria Melanie Meyer (Autor:in), 2010, The Undermining of the American Dream through Illegal Immigration, München, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/163829
