American Dream for Immigrants Essay Example

the majority who brought their experiences, cultural practices, and ideas. They believed that success in social and economic aspects can be achieved through hard work. Immigrants saw America as a land of security and opportunity, which instilled ideas of freedom and uniqueness. However, they were unaware of the hidden divisions based on gender, class, race, and ethnicity regarding access to economic freedom and security.

A good example of this is when Mexicans realized that there was a great difference between the expectations of a white American farm owner and the brown Mexican field worker. The Freedom of Mexican immigrants, destined to reach their goals to prosper in life through working as laborers, and then put aside savings to send back to their family back in Mexico and open a small business. These ideas of freedom and prosperity were different from the white farm owners, who purported that they should be allowed to hire workers for cheap labor wages that would allow them to get a higher profit, which they believed to be their rights as Americans. The American Dream expresses not only aspirations but also the channels by which they can be realized. With no opportunities, dreams will remain just dreams, but with opportunities, dreams can be realized, and this is what drives much immigration (Clark, 2003). In the minds of those working for it, the American Dream may be a loosely defined cluster of aspirations, but it clearly encompasses the chances of making money, buying houses, and ensuring a better education for the coming generation.

Throughout the history of the United States, immigrants have been drawn to the powerful allure of the American dream. This dream

encompasses various aspirations, such as evading taxes for a church one does not adhere to, striving diligently to attain economic progress, and ensuring that future generations receive superior education compared to one's own. Ultimately, it is a dream where individuals exercise autonomy over their choices without being subjected to authority.

As many people migrated to America in search of a better life and to pursue their dreams, there was another group of colonists who sought religious freedom by outlawing all churches except their own. For instance, the state of Virginia established the Church of England, using tax money to pay ministers' salaries, while Maryland welcomed people of all religions, particularly Christians. It was the American Constitution and the Revolution that truly inspired the idea of a society where individuals could be both religiously and economically free to find happiness in their own way.

In the nineteenth century, immigrants were attributed with building canals and railroads, as well as supplying the industrial workforce that made America an economic powerhouse (Clark, 2003). As America thrived due to the American Dream, it was the immigrants who preserved and fulfilled this dream. Their taxes funded government programs for the native population which relied on such support.

Despite improvement in the well-being of Americans, immigrants faced discrimination. Many Americans opposed giving immigrants opportunities, notably in education. Despite being denied other chances, children with an immigration background worked harder to achieve the Dream. As Clark (2003) pointed out, internal and external barriers hindered immigrants' success. These barriers encompass not only societal discrimination but also feelings of inequality and lack of self-esteem.

Success involves more than just acquiring human capital; it also entails cultivating

a positive mindset. This is exemplified by the tale of an Italian immigrant who arrived in America with limited education but extraordinary skills. Through sheer diligence and unwavering resolve, he emerged as a prominent figure in managing the American economy, establishing and guiding the largest advertising agency in America known as Latino Immigrant Entrepreneur. The pursuit of the American Dream has consistently served as a powerful incentive for immigrants to journey to the United States, and this trend persists even today, with immigration rates comparable to those witnessed in past decades.

It generates the same process of upward mobility and social integration. From the earlier flows, the current movements bring a diverse mixture of better off and poor immigrants. According to (Clark, 2003), migration in America in the early twentieth century was labor market driven, which caused conflict between Native Americans and immigrants. Americans claimed that migrants had taken control of all the well-paying jobs. However, during an economic downturn in America, immigrants, especially laborers, returned to their home countries.

References

• Clark, W. A. V. (2003). Immigrants and the American dream: Remaking the middle class. New York u.a.: Guilford Press.