When you think of immigrants, you think of the stereotypical foreigner with no clue of English or with an accent, instead of someone with big dreams and hopes.
Since America was found, people have come all over the world, in hopes to start fresh, for better opportunities and to have a better life. America was and still is believed to be one of the greatest countries in the world and its success wouldn’t have been able to happen without immigrants.
According to Elite Daily, there are currently 41million immigrants in the U.S, and an estimated number of 11.2 million undocumented immigrants.
In the last 50 years, the amount of immigrants that have come to the U.S has increased. America is filled with diverse cultures and people from all over the world with different background, history and different experiences.
“Immigration adds a huge body of workers who are willing to work for less,”said Sophomore William Wheatley. “It makes a developing community and growing economy easier.”
Whether legal or not, immigrants benefit the U.S by improving the economy. They strengthen the workplace and most are willing to work for less pay since there are not a lot of job options for them, specially for someone who doesn’t know English.
According to KQED news, about 1 in 8 U.S residents are foreign-born, mostly being from Latin America and Asia. America’s economy has strengthened throughout the years thanks to immigration. Immigration helps our economy grow and our businesses increase.
Statistic shows that immigrants tend to start businesses more, which lead to more jobs for other people who are in need of them.
James Watt, a Scotland immigrant who improved the steam engine, and made it okay for trains, factories and steam boats to function properly. He’s a prime example of how not only his success brought him wealth and fortune, but also brought America more reliable transportation. Reliable transportation has made it easier to travel, deliver, and trade around the world.
If it weren’t for people like James Watt we would not have everything we have today. Many immigrant inventors have contributed to many astonishing creations that have helped and only made America stronger.
Immigration makes us more culturally diverse and expands the amount of people who will one day be engineers, doctors, lawyers, etc.
Student Josselyn Cabrera came to the U.S in 2013 and is now currently a junior in Annandale. Only knowing little english when she first came, she struggled with the language and took a level 2 ESOL class. She had problems understanding her teachers, but she tried her hardest to ask questions and be understood, even though her English was not the best. The following year she took the next ESOL level and started taking theater and became interested in books, which really helped her improve. She is currently in her last year of ESOL and is hoping to pass all her classes and graduate next year.
Coming to a new country and adapting is hard enough. Trying to learn a new language and balancing your grades while doing it is a reality for many young immigrants who come to the U.S in hopes of better education.
Many students like Josselyn have struggled when adapting to a foreign country. Her determination to learn a new language shows great passion for thriving and a great future coming her way.
People don’t realize how others have difficulties adjusting to new things, especially when it comes to a new country and attempting to learn a new language. Many immigrants (mostly the ones who speak a foreign language) struggle looking for work.
They also work long hours for low pay with the hope of thriving, improving and supporting their families.
We need more people with determination and passion to thrive. We need more people with the willing power to reach for they want to improve this country.
Immigration has brought us a great amount of diversity through the years.
“It makes us more diverse,” said Sophomore Jamie Argueta. “it’s great to see different people from different countries and cultures spread their ideas.”
A diverse group of people is better than just one specific group of people. We need different views and opinions and people who think outside the box to make us prosper.
We are are a nation of immigrants. We all come from different background and countries, which is what makes America great.