Immigration: Coming to America, a dream just over the border

1. Immigration:Coming to America, a dream just over the border Nikki Tyburczy SOC 101 Term Project

2. IMMIgration:a focus on latino immigrants and the postville raid. . . • In times of struggle and warfare in underdeveloped countries, people so often make the decision to come to the United States– “The Land of Opportunity”. Many even go as far as crossing the Mexican border and risking their lives. But why? And why is there so much resentment towards the immigrant population as a whole?

3. Social Conflict paradigm *See application

4. Who is winning? • While Obama is in favor of the Dream Act, Congress still makes it extremely difficult to pass the bill. It is almost as if America has modernized slavery. Immigrants work the jobs that nobody else is willing to work, they are some of the hardest working students, and yet we still deny them legal status by making the process extremely difficult and in some cases nearly impossible.

5. Postville Raid: Iowa On May 12, 2008, what is known as the largest immigration raid in U.S history took place. A meatpacking plant in Postville Iowa was raided by the ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency) . Out of the 968 people that were employed, the ICE had warrants for the arrest of 697—most of which would be deported and sent back to their countries. This historical raid stirred controversy among the many people who had been effected . Had human rights been violated? Did the U.S government abuse their use of power? Many argued , yes. The ICE charged the migrant workers with aggravated ID theft and/or the use of false social security numbers. In an article regarding the raid, Raquel Aldana states, “Legally speaking, ICE and federal prosecutors overstepped their powers when they criminally charged the workers. Congress specifically exempted from prosecution workers who use false Social Security numbers to engage in otherwise lawful conduct, such as to procure jobs.”

6. Structural Functional Paradigm

7. The aftermath: Postville unable to function The Agriprocessors Inc in Postville served as a functional institution. Jewish employers built their company on undocumented immigrants—relying on their work ethic. They were able to run their business efficiently and have their employees invest much of their hard work for little pay. Though this may fall parallel to the conflict theory (clear exploitation), immigrants were willing to work for such low wages in order to support their family. It was clear that the meatpacking plant needed the immigrants and vice versa. Following the ICE raid in Postville Iowa, hundreds of undocumented migrant workers were either awaiting trial, serving jail time, or in many cases--deported. This not only hurt the workers, but also the Postville Community as a whole. Many children had stopped going to school in fear that they or their family members would be found out and forced to leave the country; with that being said local schools were empty, and teachers were unable to do their jobs due to the absence of students. Not only that, but Postville was a small town of only 2500—the consequences of the raid had left Postville a ghost town, with almost nothing left.

8. Symbolic interaction paradigm

9. THE dream act--application Jose Antonio Vargas, was brought to the United States by his mother from the Philippines to live with his grandparents. At the age of sixteen he went to the DMV to retrieve his license, when the lady told him that his Green Card was fake and warned him to not to return. That was the day Jose found out he was undocumented, and couldn’t really do anything about it. He had no other option, but to live his life illegally and under the radar. However, he made the decision to reveal his secret knowing that he would risk deportation. He is currently a journalist in favor of the DREAM Act. The DREAM Act is a bill that would allow students who grew up in the United States a chance to contribute to the country’s well-being by either serving in the military or pursuing a higher education. So why hasn’t it been passed? The government holds that power. Government officials against the DREAM Act claim that it would promote illegal immigration, therefore sending the wrong message. In the upcoming election, the Latino voters have immigration at the top of their list because they feel it is an issue that needs to be addressed and acted on. However, will the candidate make broken promises. Romney, a Republican who had a clear opposition on the DREAM Act has been rumored to now take the bill into consideration. But is that just a broken promise because he needs both young voters and the Latino community on his side? He holds the resources and change that the undocumented students long for, and a broken promise would exemplify his abuse of power. The DREAM Act is also a bill that serves an a functional economic advantage for this upcoming generation—not passing the bill would be a potential loss of opportunity. Javier Palomarez writes, “This decision will change the lives of an entire era of outstanding, law-abiding high school and college students who have no ability to plan for the future. Some may be removed from their homes to countries they barely know.. This tragedy will cause America to lose a vital asset: that of an educated class of promising students who have demonstrated a commitment to hard work and a strong desire to be contributing members of our American society and just happened to be immigrants.” The American education systems have provided an institution of many promising students. Students who have the potential to become teachers or even doctors, keeping the cycle in circulation and giving everyone their deserved purpose in society. It is inspired, by the American Dream. Those immigrants who have come from poverty stricken countries and humble beginnings are searching for new and better life opportunities. Parents who brought their children here to be raised in a safer environment know that America offers a significantly better educational system—that in itself symbolizes the power the United States has in such a economically diverse nation. The DREAM Act literally symbolizes dreams of those students who want to contribute to America and wanting to make a difference. It is their hoped for reality. Their determination is represented in their desire for immigration reform and the DREAM Act to be passed. Please Visit:www.defineamerican.comfor more of Jose’s story and interviews

10. Aldana, R. (2008, Jun 13). Immigration raids lead U.S. to a moral, legal crisis. La Prensa San Diego, pp. 7-7. http://search.proquest.com/docview/390248589?accountid=40611