Many people around the world are immigrants, having left their homes to find better opportunities elsewhere. They may move only a few miles down the road, or they might leave their entire country behind for good. Whether the reason for their departure is war, economic troubles, gang violence, natural disasters, poverty, or lack of opportunity, millions of people from all over the globe have made the difficult decision to leave home and start over.
For the most part, those who have immigrated to the United States do so to make a better life for themselves and their families. They contribute significantly to the economy and society, creating jobs, paying taxes, and providing services to the community. Immigrants and their descendants also have shaped the nation’s cultural, social, and political history. In fact, immigration has been a central feature of the United States’ history and fueled fundamental change during four major peak periods: the establishment of British colonies, westward expansion in the 19th century, urbanization at the turn of the 20th century, and recent influxes from Latin America and Asia.
But despite their contributions to society, many immigrants still face challenges when they settle in the United States. Several key factors can interfere with assimilation and integration into the American life, including language barriers, cultural differences, and prejudice.
In our survey, nearly half of immigrants say that they have been victims of discrimination in some way. They also struggle to make ends meet. In fact, when asked to name their top concern, most respondents cited financial issues. This is likely due to a combination of the difficulties associated with assimilation, the lingering effects of recession, and a lack of access to job opportunities that would allow them to become self-sufficient.
Many immigrants say that their biggest hope for their children’s future is that they will be able to live and work in a country with good opportunities. In focus groups, many also talk about making sacrifices in their own lives for the benefit of their families.
Immigrants are spread throughout the United States, but they are concentrated in some states that have long been top destinations, such as California (24 percent of all immigrants), Texas (12 percent), Florida (10 percent), and New York (9 percent). These states are also home to large populations of unauthorized immigrants.
To better understand the immigrant experience, students can use class discussions, student/teacher inquiry, and primary source narratives and oral histories from Library of Congress online collections to identify common themes. This can help students gain a deeper understanding of why and how some people decide to leave their countries, what their lives are like in their new homes, and the obstacles they must overcome. For further exploration, students can create a virtual exhibition of the primary source materials they have discovered and share it with others. For example, they might create a website that provides a window into the world of immigrants as described in these primary source accounts.