Notes on Immigration in America By Mr. Eichmann

Definitions Immigration – (Noun) - Migration into a place (especially migration to a country of which you are not a native in order to settle there)  Emigrate (verb) - to come from a place and settle in another place

Reasons for Emigration To America Economic -Available farmland, new jobs, escape poverty Political – Opportunity for a voice, Oppression from a government, Asylum (safety), Refugees from war, disease, or disasters Social – Religious persecution, chance to rise in social class, greater equality in new home

Western European Movements 1840- Significant numbers of Irish came due to a potato famine in Ireland. They came to northern cities like Boston and New York and faced hostility for being Catholic.

1840s – 1850s Large numbers of Germans came to America to escape political and economic persecution in Germany.

Early 1800s Large numbers from Scandanavia came, countries like Norway, Sweden, and Denmark. They settled in colder climates in the north.

The Immigration Wave In the late 1880s through the 1920s, a great movement of people came mostly from Eastern Europe. Russia/Poland/Austria-Hungary- high taxes and military service Jews – discrimination Greece/Italy – poverty Germans – military service Chinese and Japanese (Asia) – farmland in the west

Processing of Immigrants Large numbers of these immigrants were checked at immigrant stations in cities, such as Ellis Island in New York for…. Documentation Diseases Criminality

Differences Between “Old” and “New” Immigrants Immigrants in the late 1800s tended to be from Eastern Europe, bringing with them a culture very different from America. Immigrants in the late 1800s tended to be Catholic and Orthodox Christians, as well as Jews, while America up to that time was predominantly Protestant. While most immigrants in the past tended to be used for agriculture, these immigrants stayed in cities and worked in factories.

Difficulties Faced by Immigrants That Come to America Separated from families, friends, and relatives. Difficult passage on ships or by land. Adjustment to new language and culture. Fear of being sent back to their homeland. Immigrants have to take low paying jobs and start from the bottom social class. They would also live in worst part of cities.

Arguments Supporting Immigration to America Immigrants are needed to work in factories, mines, and railroads. They are consumers who buy American products. Men and women bring skills and talents that America needs. Helps to makes a “melting pot,” where cultures are assimilated into American culture and become part of it. (Lately, this has been reinterpreted as a mosaic).

Arguments That Call For Opposing or Restricting Immigration Immigrants take jobs away from Americans who have been in America far longer. Immigrants do not understand or appreciate American values. Immigrants have little understanding of American democracy and the political process. Immigrants may not be loyal when America faces a conflict.

How Does One Come to America? Passport – Document issued by the government to its citizens allowing travel to another country Visa – An authorization made on a passport allowing entrance and travel within a foreign country Student Visa – Allows a foreigner to come to America to attend school for a period of time Work Visa – Allows a foreigner to come to work in the country for a period of time. Travel Visa – Allows a foreigner to visit a country for a period of time.

Other Terms Associated With Entry to America “Green” Card – A document which allows a non-citizen to remain in the United States despite no being an America citizen. Resident Alien – A person who lives in the United States and has proper documentation, allowing them to remain Illegal Alien - A person in America without proper documentation or who bypassed immigration authorities

Ways to Become a “Naturalized” Citizen Immigration Lottery – A drawing where foreigners can be given citizenship papers. Sponsor – An American citizen advocates for a non-citizen and helps them attain American citizenship. Amnesty – The government announces the allowance of illegal immigrants to submit citizenship papers by a certain date without prosecution Marriage – Once married to an American, a foreigner can become a Resident Alien and eventually get citizenship. The process to become a citizen begins after 5 years of becoming a Resident Alien.