Immigration: A contentious issue in the United States

Introduction

Since being established as a country close to 200 years ago, the United States has continued to attract immigrants from all corners of the world.  The immigrants come for a variety of reasons which include searching for economic opportunities, seeking refuge from political turmoil in their countries of origin, seeking religious freedoms, among other reasons.  The fact that a large population of the United States traces their roots to immigration has shaped how the country looks at immigration. It is common to hear political figures, intellectuals and normal citizens referring to their country as “a nation of immigrants”.  This is also reflected in the nation’s foremost symbol – the statue of liberty. The bone of contention has been the unavailability of real economic facts about immigration - the real implications of immigration on wages, jobs, budgets, and the U.S economy- issues that are truly essential to advance a constructive national debate.

Sources that will be used

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Coutin, Susan Bibler. "Cultural Logics of Belonging and Movement: Transnationalism, Naturalization, and U.S. Immigration Politics." American Anthropological Association (2003): 30,4:(508-526). Electronic.

Davis, Ian. "Latino Immigration and social Change in the United States: Toward an Ethical Immigration Policy." Journal of Business Ethics (2009): 88: 377-391. Electronic