Immigration

1. Immigration This country was built on immigrants who sought opportunity, political & religious freedom.

2. Define Immigration • To come into a country of which one is not a native to take up permanent residence • Arrival of settlers in a new country

3. Statue of Liberty "Not like the brazen giant of Greek fame, With conquering limbs astride from land to land; Here at our sea-washed, sunset hates shall stand A mighty woman with a torch, whose flame Is the imprisoned lighting, and her name Mother of Exiles. From her beacon hand Glows world-wide welcome; her mild eyes command The air-bridged harbor that twin cities frame. "Keep, ancient lands, your storied pomp!" cries she With silent lips. "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-tost to me, I lift my lamp beside the golden door!” :

4. Immigration • Almost 60 million people- more than one fifth of the total population of the United States- are immigrants or the children of immigrants. • Immigration to North America began with Spanish settlers in the 16th century, and French and English settlers in the 17th century. • Age of Mass Migration:1880-1924 primarily from Southern and Eastern Europe. • Post 1965 Wave of Immigration, primarily from Latin America and Asia.

5. Immigration • About one million legal immigrants arrive annually to the Unites States. About 500,000 to 600,000 illegally. • Each new wave of immigration has been met with some degree of hostility and popular fears that immigrants will harm American society or will not conform to the prevailing “American way of Life.” • Nativism • Ku Klux Klan • Chinese Exclusion Act 1882 • Quotas

6. Immigration • Immigration groups of America: • Irish • Italians • Germans • Asians • Hispanics • Africans

7. Why do people migrate? • Economic migration: may involve moving to find work or follow a particular career path. • Social migration: may involve moving somewhere for a better quality of life or to be close to family or friends. • Political migration: may be moving to escape political persecution or war. • Environmental migration: moving due to natural disasters such as flooding or drought.

8. Push and Pull Factors • Push Factors: are the reasons why people leave an area, ie what pushes them away from their home. Push factors include: lack of services, lack of safety, high crime, crop failure, drought, poverty and war. • Pull Factors: are the reasons why people move to a particular area, ie what pulls them to a new place. Pull factors include: higher employment, more wealth better services, good climate, safer, less crime, political stability.

9. Pros of Immigration • Some of the most intelligent and ambitious individuals, who are unsatisfied with their own countries, bring their skills to America. • Immigrants often take the low-paying jobs that most Americans don’t want to do at such low wages. • Adding additional group of more affordable labor allows businesses flexibility leading to cheaper prices, better quality products, and higher profits. • Gives struggling people all over the world an opportunity for a better life!

10. Cons of Immigration • More immigrants mean more opportunity for terrorists, drug dealers, and other criminals to enter the country. • Immigrants tend to consume a high amount of government resources (health care, education, welfare) without paying a corresponding high rate of taxes. • Less skilled American citizens earn less money and have fewer job opportunities because they must compete with immigrants in the job market.

11. Immigration ReformWhere do we start? • Amnesty: • Giving illegal immigrants a pass to become citizens • Deportation: • Sending illegal immigrants back to their native countries. • Tighter Border Security: • Border fence and more security along our international borders. • Constitutional Amendments: • Change the law which states that any person born in the Unites States is automatically a citizen.

12. How would you fix the Problem?

13. Steps to become a citizen legally • Find out if you are eligible. • Complete application • Get photographed • Send in application, documents, and fee • Get fingerprinted • Get interviewed • Receive a decision • Take the oath and become a citizen

14. Citizen steps • Step 1 Find out if your are eligible. • 18 or older have been a permanent resident for the past five years without leaving the United States for trips six months or longer. • 18 or older and are currently married to and living with a U.S. citizen; have been married to and living with that same U.S. citizen for the past three years. • Able to read and write English, and have a good knowledge of understanding of U.S. history and government • Pass citizenship test • Have good moral character

15. Citizen steps • Step 2 Application • Naturalization form N400, not easy to fill out • Study and become familiar N400 Prep Guide • Send in documents • Use document checklist found on form to make sure you have the essential information.

16. Contiued • Step 3 Get Photographed • Include to color standard size passport photographs with you application. • Passport location will know the requirements • Step 4 Send in application, documents, fee to Service Center • $595 application fee • $80 fingerprinting fee • Step 5 Get fingerprinted • A letter will be sent you saying where you need to get fingerprinted

17. Continued • Step 6 Being Interviewed • Bring your permanent residence card • Your passport • Any reentry permits you may have • Answer any questions about your application and background • Take the English and Civic test • Step 7 Receive a decision • After you interview you will receive a decision based on your application and test scores • Step 8 Take the oath