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What Immigrants Say About Life in the United States

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What Immigrants Say About Life in the United States

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1) Farkas, Steve. “What Immigrants Say About Life in the United States.” Migrationpolicy.org, Migration Policy Institute, 2 Mar. 2017, www.migrationpolicy.org/article/what-immigrants-say-about-life-united-states.

Keywords
English is essential, Strong work ethic, U.S. is home

Summary
There was a study of 1,002 immigrants with a survey about their life in the U.S. and how they expected themselves to be living in the U.S. About 65% believe that English should be learned to be able to live in the United States. Without English, many believe that it is difficult to get a job due to the language barrier. The immigrant's idea of working hard to get things in return is part of the American Dream. Approximately 73% believe that it is important to achieve this ethic. With their new allegiance to the United States, they continue to make contact with their family and friends back from their origin of country. Immigrants continue to uphold the values of being an American and are willing to repeat the process.

Opinion
I would agree with this ideology upheld by many immigrants. Many immigrants that I personally know came to the United States for a better life and do believe in the value of the American Dream. The American dream is common to achieve among Immigrants but many have different views of what their success is. I would like to know more about the other side of these expected values. Every immigrant is not successful living in the United States but to know more of the opposite side would greatly increase my knowledge. I do take appreciation in the simplicity yet informative layout this article is as it allows readers to easily understand the life and values of many Immigrants.

Reliability
A nationwide telephone survey of 1,002 immigrants was conducted and funded by the Carnegie Corporation of New York.

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Living in an Immigrant Family in America: How Fear and Toxic Stress are Affecting Daily Life, Well-Being, & Health

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Living in an Immigrant Family in America: How Fear and Toxic Stress are Affecting Daily Life, Well-Being, & Health

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2) Artiga, Samantha, and Petry Ubri. “Living in an Immigrant Family in America: How Fear and Toxic Stress Are Affecting Daily Life, Well-Being, & Health.” Dec. 2017.
http://files.kff.org/attachment/Issue-Brief-Living-in-an-Immigrant-Family-in-America

Keywords
Fear, Deportation, Finance, Illegal, Legal, Family

Summary
Immigrant families who have came to the United States illegally and legally (with green card) have the fear of deportation as the immigration policy has been an controversial topic. The fear to live like Americans has been halted alongside their opportunities to thrive among Americans. The unknown future for their status, families have been faced with many obstacles. Discrimination, racism, language barrier, and inability to act as an average citizen affects their life in the United States. The inability to find a stable job has a major impact on source of income to thrive in this complex economy. Health has also deteriorated as many families stay inside and only go outside for necessities. Life is in constant fear of deportation when they came to seek a better life.

Opinion
With this controversial topic of illegal immigrants being deported, I already knew this as media has covered this multiple times. I was unaware that legal immigrants were also facing these issues even with their official recognition as an immigrant. In my case, my family do not fear of deportation as they have received their citizenship but families without an opportunity to apply for citizenship is a major controversy due to what people believe throughout the United States. I do appreciate the study for being very thorough with their research beyond the legal issues. There is a harsh division between what is law and moral value.

Reliability
The Kaiser Family Foundation and the PerryUndem Research/Communications conducted a a nationwide survey of 100 parents with different backgrounds. In their article, it specifically states on how they obtained their data.

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3) Artiga, Samantha, and Petry Ubri. “Living in an Immigrant Family in America: How Fear and Toxic Stress Are Affecting Daily Life, Well-Being, & Health.” Dec. 2017.

Keywords
Legal immigration, Green Card, Iran, Culture Shock, American Dream

Summary
Anoosh Mokhtarian is a legal immigrant who currently resides in the United States. He is originally from Iran and had the desire to live in the United States. He first got interest in immigrating when he first heard Thriller by Michael Jackson, at the time it was contraband for anything from the United States. He was determined to get a visa so he earned his bachelor's degree in biology and a master's degree in English. He received a green card through a lottery and arrived in Mississippi. He earned his bachelor's degree in public health but faced financial and personal problems. He had a difficult time adjusting due to his culture shock. Although he faced obstacles, his desire to become an American was achieved.

Opinion
His experience as an Iranian citizen then to an American is interesting to know. He lived a successful career back in Iran yet he wanted to live in the United States for that American Dream. His hardship living in Iran and his path to become an American shows passion and optimism that many immigrants also have in mind. I like that the author is able to share this story for our country to know that there are passionate immigrants but not willing to break the law. His legal documentation and status as a proper immigrant also provides information on immigrants living in the United States.

Reliability
The Clarion Ledger has phtographic evidence that they have met Mokhtarian in person. Sarah Fowler, the author, is a native of Mississippi that writes coverages of local communites.

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Reconciling Two Cultures: The Experience of Immigrants and First Generation Americans from Non-Western Countries

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Reconciling Two Cultures: The Experience of Immigrants and First Generation Americans from Non-Western Countries

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4) Kruzykowski, Katerina G. Reconciling Two Cultures: The Experience of Immigrants and First Generation Americans from Non-Western Countries. Western Connecticut State University, 2007, repository.wcsu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1046&context=ssj.

Keywords
Gender roles, Culture, Migration, Assimilation, Attitude towards Americans and the West, Discrimination, Melting Pot

Summary
For immigrants, it was difficult to assimilate while they pursue their daily lives in America. They primarily came for a better job, education, and to live a better life despite the cultural barriers. Immigrants viewed Americans and American culture differently by comparing to their attained culture, for some still holding to their traditions. First generation Americans often thrived fairly well due to their immediate contact with the dominant culture. They faced some bigotry and intolerance but not as heavily for immigrants. Different cultures had different views on American society and way of life.

Opinion
I agree with her studies I have first hand experience with immigrants and me being a first generation American. Immigrants do have it harder living in American especially when they live with their culture back home. The differences between their culture clashes with the dominant culture regardless if there are racial communities. Although her studies were limited to set amount of ten countries and people, it was not very representative for many immigrants throughout the world. I do appreciate her interests in immigration as she is a descendant of an immigrant family, allowing me to see her reputable.

Reliability
The author has an affiliation with Western Connecticut State University as a student. She is also a second generation American. She uses previous studies on immigrants and properly explains the significance of it. She uses it as an outline and conducts her own research process by gathering six immigrants and four first generation Americans, five males and females. Also in their late twenties due to older generations are biased with their amount of years with their culture. Three interviews over the phone and seven in-person, using a non-random sample. Topics heavily studied was gender roles and cultural expectations, migration and assimilation, attitudes towards Americans and the west, and discrimination and the melting pot theory.

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Immigrants find learning English a tough but necessary job

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Immigrants find learning English a tough but necessary job

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6) Malernee, Jamie, and Jodie Needle. Immigrants Find Learning English a Tough but Necessary Job. SunSentinel, 12 Sept. 2012, www.sun-sentinel.com/news/sfl-lang3may12-story.html.

Keywords
Illiterate, slang, accent, community school, English

Summary
Immigrants living in the United States face the common difficulty of English. It is used at work and daily lives but without knowing English, it has resulted into difficult and stressful situations. In such settings is a social occasion and conducting business calls. Immigrants do believe that English is way of life as they often educate themselves to learn English. Children have it easier to learn English as they are raised in a dominant society with English.

Opinion
I do believe that knowing English while living in the United States is important. It serves as a pathway for social connections and jobs. It is very understandable for immigrants to struggle as it is a new language and they also have to learn slang, sarcasm, and humor not directly taught. Americans speak in diverse ways which stands as an obstacle to adapt to. My parents also face the difficulties of English so I also understand firsthand such as me explaining about the southern accents around our hometown. My father also stated that the one thing he regrets while living in the states is not learning English because he would have a better job.

Reliability
There are multiple people involved with personal recounts of struggles with English throughout the world.

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Anh's Experience as an International Student

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Anh's Experience as an International Student

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1) What country do you come from?
- Vietnam
2) How did you gain access to the States?
- "I gained access to the States by Student Visa F1"
3) Do you have family residing here?
- "Yes, I have my brother residing here."
4) Why did you decide to come here? Was it to experience what is it like to be in America, to obtain the American Dream, to pursue an education, or to visit family?
- "I decided to come here because I want to gain more knowledge in English, USA have the good education system and a quality degree."
5) Do you intend to become an American citizen?
- "I don't know if I want to become an American citizen, because I need to finish my study first"
6) Have you faced any obstacles (different culture, food, mindset, people, and/or language barrier)?
- "Language barrier is what I'm facing right now, I still struggle with it everyday."
7) Where and how did you learn English?
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8) Is there anything that you miss back home?
- "I miss my hometown's food."
9) How do you like it in the US?
- "I like US food and the weather, especially snow and trees are changed colors in Fall."
10) Is your overall experience positive or negative?
- "I think my overall experience is positive right now. I'm pleased with everything."

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Shimoli's Experience as an International Student

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Shimoli's Experience as an International Student

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1) What country do you come from?
- India
2) How did you gain access to the States? By Green Card, International Visa, or Student Visa?
- Student Visa
3) Do you have family residing here?
- "I have a few cousins who live here. The only reason why my parents felt comfortable allowing me to come to the states."
4) Why did you decide to come here? Was it to experience what is it like to be in America, to obtain the American Dream, to pursue an education, or to visit family?
- "I intended to attend school at UK but due to it being expensive, I decided the US is better."
5) Do you intend to become an American citizen?
- "If whatever career I choose can get me a good job here, then yes."
6) Have you faced any obstacles (different culture, food, mindset, people, and/or language barrier)?
- "I faced many obstacles. Not just the culture and food, but also the weather. It's completely different. But I have family and friends who are here I feel comfortable with the change."
7) Where and how did you learn English?
- "In India, we were taught English since we were like 5. So I've always known English as my second language. But we learned British English (I've had trouble with US English because I always say lift and to say it out loud among people who call it elevator is plain weird)."
8) Is there anything that you miss back home?
- "Food. People here like really bland food and I'm used to all the spices in my food. So definitely food."
9) How do you like it in the United States?
- "It's been good. I'm experiencing new things. I find a huge diversity of people here which is really surprising for me as I've never seen so many people at the same place. My friends are hyping me up for Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas, in India we never celebrated these holidays."
10) Is your overall experience positive or negative?
- "I'd say positive. I have my personal reasons to say this."