Assume you arean investigative reporter for a major publication (magazine or newspaper) who has been assigned to research important issues (ethnic, racial, gender, or class) that are causi

Immigration in the US

Matthew Jung

SOC 400: Sociology of Class, Gender, Ethnicity, and Race

Professor Terry Lunsford

April 11, 2023

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Immigration has been a defining feature of the United States since its inception.

The country's rich history of immigration dates back to the colonial era and has continued

to shape the country's social and cultural fabric. The US has been a melting pot of diverse

cultures contributing to its economic growth and prosperity. However, with the current

political climate, debates surrounding immigration policies have become more heated

than ever. I will provide a historical overview of immigration in the US, examine the

impact of immigration on the US economy, and discuss the debates surrounding current

US immigration policies since immigration has been a crucial part of the history of the

United States.

Immigration issues in the United States are diverse, with significant societal

ramifications. Researching immigration concerns in the United States is essential for

several reasons. Immigration difficulties in the United States frequently affect

marginalized peoples, including undocumented immigrants, asylum seekers, refugees,

and their families. Understanding and advocating for these persons' social justice and

human rights, including their access to education, healthcare, work, and legal safeguards,

requires a deep dive into immigration issues. Secondly, immigration has a significant

effect on the economy of the United States. Economic growth, job creation, salary levels,

consumer spending, and entrepreneurship are all topics that might be illuminated by

research into immigration policy. It also clarifies the tax, social service, and public

infrastructure costs immigrants add to national budgets. Thirdly, immigration is a highly

charged political issue in the United States, having ramifications for federal, state, and

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local policymaking. To comprehend the dynamics of immigration policymaking, the

function of state agencies, the impact of interest groups, and the influence of public

opinion on immigration policy results, it is crucial to have a firm grasp of immigration

concerns.

Annotated Source List

1. Hanson, G., Orrenius, P., & Zavodny, M. (2023). US Immigration from Latin

America in Historical Perspective. Journal of Economic Perspectives, 37(1), 199-220.

doi: 10.1257/jep.37.1.199

I chose this article because it describes the first immigrants to arrive in the US,

which is essential when examining immigration in the US. The study states that since the

1600s, the country has become a melting pot of cultures and ethnicities. Additionally, it

gives a historical overview of immigration in the United States. It states that the first

wave of immigrants came from Europe, primarily English, Irish, and German. The second

wave of immigrants started in the mid-1800s and continued until the early 1900s. A lock

that included immigrants from Southern and Eastern Europe, such as Italians, Poles, and

Russians. It also mentions that during this time, the US government implemented various

immigration policies, including the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882, which prohibited

Chinese laborers from entering the country. The third wave of immigrants started in the

late 1960s and continues today. A lock that included immigrants from Asia, Latin

America, and the Caribbean.

2. Mayda, A. M., Peri, G., & Steingress, W. (2022). The political impact of

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immigration: Evidence from the United States. American Economic Journal: Applied

Economics, 14(1), 1-41. doi: 10.1257/app.2019008

I chose this article because it reveals how immigration has significantly impacted

the United States' economy, culture, and society. It argues that it contributes to the

country's economic growth by providing a diverse workforce and creating new

businesses. However, immigration has also led to debates about national identity, cultural

assimilation, and the role of immigrants in American society. Despite these debates,

immigration remains an essential part of US history and will continue to shape the

country's future.

Immigration has been a contentious issue in the United States for several decades.

While some argue that immigrants take jobs away from native-born workers and increase

the burden on social services, others contend that they contribute to economic growth and

innovation. Recent empirical research has shown that the economic impact of

immigration is mainly positive. Mayda et al. (2022) emphasize that immigrants positively

affect the US economy, contributing to higher GDP and productivity growth. They also

note that immigrants tend to complement the skills of native-born workers rather than

compete with them, leading to increased specialization and greater efficiency. The

authors argue that immigration policies that attract highly skilled immigrants can have

significant long-term benefits for the US economy. Overall, the evidence suggests that

immigration is crucial in driving economic growth and innovation in the United States.

The information in this article supports that the current US immigration policies

have been intensely debated in recent years, and critics argue that they are inhumane and

unjust, resulting in the separation of families and the detention of individuals in

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substandard conditions.

3. Hinton, E., & Cook, D. (2021). The mass criminalization of Black Americans: A

historical overview. Annual Review of Criminology, 4,

274.https://www.annualreviews.org/doi/abs/10.1146/annurev-criminol-060520-033306

I chose this article because it argues that policies revolving around immigration

are inhumane and unjust, resulting in the separation of families and the detention of

individuals in substandard conditions. For instance, the Immigration and Nationality Act

of 1952, which established the legal framework for US immigration policies, was

intended to promote family reunification and to admit immigrants based on their skills

and qualifications.

The information in this article emphasizes the multifaceted ways in which

policymakers and officials at all levels of government have used criminal law, policing,

and imprisonment as proxies for exerting social control in predominantly black

communities from the colonial era to the present.

4. Bruzelius, E., & Baum, A. (2019). The mental health of Hispanic/Latino Americans

following national immigration policy changes: United States, 2014–2018. American

Journal of Public Health, 109(12), 1787.

https://ajph.aphapublications.org/doi/abs/10.2105/AJPH.2019.305337

I chose this article because it examines the relationship between aggressive

enforcement of anti-immigration policies and mental health among Latinos in the United

States before and after significant national immigration policy changes. This article

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discusses the potential public health effects of aggressive immigration enforcement on

immigrants and emphasizes the need to acknowledge better and address immigration

debates.

5. Abramitzky, R., Boustan, L., Jácome, E., & Pérez, S. (2021). Intergenerational mobility

of immigrants in the United States over two centuries. American Economic

Review, 111(2), 592. https://www.aeaweb.org/articles?id=10.1257%2Faer.20191586

&utm_campaign=Economic%20Studies&utm_medium=email&utm_content=110448215

&utm_source=hs_email

I chose this article because it points out how immigrant children are impacted. It

states that children of immigrants from nearly every sending country have higher rates of

upward mobility than children of US-born. The information in this article indicates that

immigrants’ advantage is similar historically and today despite dramatic shifts in sending

countries and US immigration policy.

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References

Hanson, G., Orrenius, P., & Zavodny, M. (2023). US Immigration from Latin

America in Historical Perspective. Journal of Economic Perspectives, 37(1),

199-220. https://www.aeaweb.org/articles?id=10.1257/jep.37.1.199

Mayda, A. M., Peri, G., & Steingress, W. (2022). The political impact of

immigration: Evidence from the United States. American Economic Journal:

Applied Economics, 14(1), 1-41. https://www.aeaweb.org/articles?id=10.1257%

2Fapp.20190081

Hinton, E., & Cook, D. (2021). The mass criminalization of Black Americans: A

historical overview. Annual Review of Criminology, 4, 274.

https://www.annualreviews.org/doi/abs/10.1146/annurev-

criminol-060520-033306

Bruzelius, E., & Baum, A. (2019). The mental health of Hispanic/Latino Americans

following national immigration policy changes: United States,

2014–2018. American Journal of Public Health, 109(12), 1787.

https://ajph.aphapublications.org/doi/abs/10.2105/AJPH.2019.305337

Abramitzky, R., Boustan, L., Jácome, E., & Pérez, S. (2021). Intergenerational mobility

of immigrants in the United States over two centuries. American Economic

Review, 111(2), 592. https://www.aeaweb.org/articles?id=10.1257%

2Faer.20191586&utm_campaign=Economic%

20Studies&utm_medium=email&utm_content=110448215

&utm_source=hs_email

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