The statue of liberty has long been a symbol of America's open door to the masses of humanity. Inscribed at the base of the statue are these words: "Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free, the wretched refuse of your teeming shore. Send these, the homeless, tempest-tossed to me. I lift my lamp beside the golden door" (Lazarus).The fact that we are a melting pot for so many different cultures, races, and religions makes America unique in the world. It is also what has helped mold this country's national character. For more than 300 years, various ethnic, cultural, and social groups have come to the American shores to reunite with their loved ones, to s ...view middle of the document...
Legal immigrants have the same opportunities as normal Americans, provided that they know English. If, however, they have to find work in an ethnic community where there are no unions, it is often more difficult for them. They can easily be replaced for any reason, even if the boss doesn't like them. On the other hand, there are many American immigrants that have been extremely successful and have made their way into the upper echelons of American society.According to Michael J. Gurfinkel, since the terrorists' attacks on September 11, 2001, the U.S. Government has been getting even tougher in enforcing immigration laws and monitoring the arrival and departure of aliens into the U.S. As part of that effort, the INS announced that, effective January 1, 2003, the INS will "require all commercial carriers to submit detailed passenger manifests to the agency [INS] electronically, before any aircraft or vessel arrives in or departs from the United States". This program of monitoring entries and departures from the U.S. is part of the Enhanced Border Security and Visa Entry Reform Act of 2002. Section 402 of that law requires that carriers submit, in advance of passenger arrivals or departures, information on all temporary foreign visitors (Gurfinkel).Illegal immigration has become a major problem in the United States, especially along our Southwest border. According...
