9781422270233

IMMIGRATION

ANGER BULLYING CHRONIC ILLNESS DIVORCE FOOD INSECURITY GRIEF IMMIGRATION SEXUAL ABUSE SOCIAL ISOLATION TEEN PREGNANCY

IMMIGRATION

M. Arias

MASON CREST M I A M I

Mason Crest PO Box 221876, Hollywood, FL 33022 (866) MCP-BOOK (toll-free) • www.masoncrest.com

Copyright © 2024 by Mason Crest, an imprint of National Highlights, Inc. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping, or any information storage and retrieval system, without permission from the publisher.

First printing 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

ISBN (hardback) 978-1-4222-4806-5 ISBN (series) 978-1-4222-4796-9 ISBN (ebook) 978-1-4222-7023-3

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Names: Arias, M., author. Title: Immigration / M. Arias. Description: Hollywood, FL : Mason Crest, 2024. | Series: You are not alone | Includes bibliographical references and index. Identifiers: LCCN 2023022810 | ISBN 9781422248065 (hardback) | ISBN 9781422270233 (ebook) Subjects: LCSH: United States--Emigration and immigration--History--Juvenile literature. | Immigrants--United States--History--Juvenile literature. Classification: LCC JV6450 .A76 2024 | DDC 304.8/73009--dc23/eng/20230606 LC record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2023022810

Developed and Produced by National Highlights, Inc. Editor: Andrew Luke Production: Crafted Content, LLC (www.craftedcontentllc.com)

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Chapter 1: A New World.......................................07 Chapter 2: "Go Back To Where You Came From".....21 Chapter 3: Issues to Overcome.............................37 Chapter 4: Finding Your Path................................51 Chapter 5: Helping Hands: Finding Your Community.... 63 Chapter Notes....................................................74 Further Reading & Internet Resources..................76 Credits & Educational Video Links........................77 Index................................................................. 78 Author Biography...............................................80 KEY ICONS TO LOOK FOR: CONTENTS Words to Understand: These words with their easy-to understand definitions will increase the reader’s understanding of the text while building vocabulary skills. Sidebars: This boxed material within the main text allows readers to build knowledge, gain insights, explore possibilities, and broaden their perspectives by weaving together additional information to provide realistic and holistic perspectives. Testimonial Videos: Readers can view videos by scanning our QR codes, providing them with personal stories from peers that supplement the text. Text-Dependent Questions: These questions send the reader back to the text for more careful attention to the evidence presented there. Research Projects: Readers are pointed toward areas of further inquiry connected to each chapter. Suggestions are provided for projects that encourage deeper research and analysis.

WORDS TO UNDERSTAND

cultural differences: the distinct features, values, and customs of one group that set them apart from another group immigrant: a person who relocates to another country to live there indefinitely immigration: relocating to another country to stay there language barrier: a communication obstacle occurring when two or more people cannot understand each other because of a lack of shared language origin countries: the countries where a person or their forefathers originally came from or were born

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CHAPTER

A NEW WORLD Immigration has been a cornerstone of the United States since its inception. With each new wave of immigrants , our country has grown stronger. It has also become more diverse and more vibrant. Even still, the journey can be challenging for teenagers new to America. From navigating a new educational system to learning a new language, immigrant teens’ barriers can be significant. Defining Immigration Immigration is when people leave their homeland to live elsewhere, such as in another country. Immigration has been a major part of the United States’ history and culture. Colonists, refugees, and immigrants have all come to the US over the centuries to find a better life for themselves and their families. According to the Migration Policy Institute, as of 2021, about 45.3 million immigrants live in the United States. This represents a little more than 13 percent of the country’s total population. Of these immigrants, about 77 percent are in the country legally. The remaining 23 percent are undocumented or here illegally, meaning they do not have legal authorization to live or work in the country, which is required for all non-citizens.

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TEEN IMMIGRANT FACTS

In 2021, most teenage immigrants were from Mexico, China, El Salvador, India, and the Philippines. As per the Migration Policy Institute, children and teenagers also make up 18% of all immigrants in the US. A Pew Research Center study also found that one in four children in the United States has an immigrant parent. 2,3

Trends and Data Immigration is a hotly debated topic in the United States. The approximately 45 million immigrants currently in the country are the highest number of immigrants ever recorded. The annual number of new arrivals has fluctuated over the past few decades, with a high of 1.8 million new immigrants in 2000 and a low of 795,000 in 2018. 4 Where Are Immigrants Coming From? Immigrants come to the United States from all over the world looking for greater opportunities. 1 The top origin countries for immigrants in the United States have shifted over time. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, most immigrants came from European countries, while today, most come from Latin America and Asia. Typically, most immigrants in the United States come from Mexico, China, India, the Philippines, and El Salvador. More recently, civil unrest has caused the numbers to be markedly

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You Are Not Alone: Immigration

A group of Central American families seeking asylum in the US prepares for transport to a processing center after turning themselves in to the Texas Border Patrol.

different. The US refugee resettlement program provided refuge to over 22,500 individuals in 2020, with the highest numbers coming from the Democratic Republic of Congo, Burma, and Ukraine. 5 The number of refugees from Ukraine will likely continue to be high as many of its people fled the country in the wake of the violent 2022 Russian invasion. Where Are Immigrants Settling? Immigrants settle in certain parts of the United States more than others. According to the Pew Research Center, as of 2018, about 45 percent of all immigrants live in just three states: California, Texas, and Florida. Other popular destinations for immigrants include New York, New Jersey, and Illinois. Within these states, immigrants tend to cluster in urban areas. 6

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Chapter 1: A New World

Each year, US Citizenship and Immigration Services authorizes about a million new green cards.

How Many Immigrants Are Coming to the US? The number of immigrants coming to the United States varies. In 2019, for example, just over 1 million new immigrants got lawful permanent resident status, also known as getting a green card. This decreased from the previous year when almost 1.1 million new immigrants got green cards. In 2020, the United States issued approximately 462,000 immigrant visas, with the top countries of origin being Mexico, China, India, and the Dominican Republic. 7 The number of new arrivals has remained relatively stable over the past few decades, with some fluctuations from year to year. Language Barriers The language barrier is one of the biggest issues for new immigrants entering the United States. Imagine arriving in a new

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You Are Not Alone: Immigration

country where it is impossible to understand the language. It can be isolating and overwhelming, not to mention terrifying. In the United States, more than 25 million individuals are considered limited in English proficiency, with Spanish being the most commonly spoken non-English language. 8 For many immigrant families, the language barrier can majorly impact their daily lives. For example, not speaking the language can make it tough to find a job. Navigating the health care system or doing simple tasks like buying groceries becomes challenging as well. Parents who don’t speak English may also need help communicating with their children’s teachers or medical providers. Not being able to ask questions or have discussions makes advocating for their family’s needs difficult. The language barrier can scare immigrant teens and lead to uncertainty or insecurity. You are faced with trying to adjust to so many things at once while not being able to speak the language. Continuing forward is hard as you work through existing between a new culture and an entirely different educational system. A 2019 study by the Migration Policy Institute found that students with limited English proficiency are less likely to graduate high school on time and attend college than their English-proficient peers. 9 You may also struggle to have simple discussions with peers or ask your teachers questions. Language barriers lead to feelings of social isolation, difficulties making friends, and academic struggles. You end up hoping to find someone else who speaks your language and is willing to act as an interpreter. You might find it difficult to exercise your independence at a time in your life when that desire is so strongly ingrained. Being forced to depend on others can create a painful experience for many. It’s essential to provide language access and education to new immigrants. They need access to essential resources to

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Chapter 1: A New World

The language barrier can leave immigrants feeling isolated and excluded.

succeed in their new home. Access to language services helps families understand and work their way through critical systems like health care and education. Language education also helps teens become a part of their new schools and communities. Providing language access and education to individuals with limited English proficiency has positive economic and social impacts. When schools provide language access along with education, they help immigrants overcome a significant barrier in addition to helping to build a more inclusive and fair society. American Culture vs. Origin Country Culture The United States is a melting pot of different cultures. Nearly every culture from around the world can be found in the US. At the same time, being in the US is vastly different from their countries

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You Are Not Alone: Immigration

of origin for many new immigrants. From social norms to religious practices to food preferences, there can be major cultural differences that new immigrants must figure out as they go. Gender Roles These cultural differences can cause a host of problems for new immigrants. For example, traditional gender roles in some cultures may clash with American ideals of gender equality. The struggle then becomes whether to stay true to their cultural roots or adopt American lifestyles. At that point, an internal clash happens because many immigrants want to hold on to their heritage and history, whereas being from a younger generation, you might want to be more like everyone else.

Young female immigrants from cultures with more traditional gender roles may clash with their families as they try to fit in with American culture.

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Chapter 1: A New World

Food as an Obstacle The type of food found in the United States is another obstacle to consider. Dietary restrictions because of cultural or religious beliefs may make finding food options in the US challenging. For example, certain cultures avoid beef or are vegetarian by nature. Adapting food traditions to an American lifestyle isn’t easy and is just one more obstacle immigrants face. Also, many immigrants feel judged for their food choices because these foods are different from the standard American diet. Ethnic foods can also be the basis for dealing with social obstacles like bullying when children and teens are involved. They smell, look, and taste differently, which is just another way teen immigrants stand out among their peers, sometimes resulting in a negative experience. Social Expectations Then there are also significant social challenges for immigrants of all ages. Social expectations may differ significantly, leading to misunderstandings or even conflict. For example, religious beliefs are often a big part of cultural identity. Belief differences can cause or lead immigrants to experience religious discrimination, xenophobia, and bigotry. These issues can then negatively impact teens’ mental health. Most schools and large employers should have procedures to offer guidance on handling these differences, but sometimes, immigrants don’t know these exist. Part of breaking down barriers is ensuring they know whom to contact in case of difficulty. The Challenges of Cultural Differences Navigating cultural differences can be challenging for new immigrants. They don’t typically have a high level of support or understanding from their new communities. For example, you might be used to being very respectful of your elders in your

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You Are Not Alone: Immigration

THIAGO’S STORY From Undocumented to Legal Citizen

In this personal account from Thiago Oliviera Heilman, he explores his experiences as an immigrant from Brazil coming to the United States. From seeing the New York skyline for the first time to the decision not to return home, he discusses what it was like to be an undocumented individual, unable to get an ID, go to college, or get health insurance. Thiago explains the impact of the passing of the Dreamers legislation in 2015 and what it took to reach his dream of creating the life he always wanted.

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Chapter 1: A New World

country, so you may struggle to adjust to the more informal interactions between students and teachers in the US. On the other hand, normal behaviors for American students may also simply appear rude to you. It’s important to recognize these challenges and provide support to immigrants. They’ll also need various resources as they adjust to their new home. Resources can include: • Cultural sensitivity training for educators and community members • Language support services • Community-based organizations that provide a sense of community and belonging for new immigrants

GENERATIONAL DIFFERENCES IN CULTURAL ASSIMILATION

A Pew Research Center study found that second-generation immigrants, or those born in the United States to immigrant parents, are more likely to identify as American. They also speak English more fluently than their parents. However, studies have also found that second-generation immigrants may experience conflict between their families and American culture. Third-generation immigrants,

or those born to US-born parents, are often even more assimilated into American culture and may have less connection to their family’s cultural heritage. 10

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You Are Not Alone: Immigration