Immigration Policy Typically, American Textbooks Discussion Chapter

Much of the difference in assimilation patterns between this group of Latins and previous European and Asian groups surrounds the restructuring of the American economy and the sheer volume of immigrants. Contemporary immigrants face a dichotomous situation: "either they maintain their cultural and communal distinctivness, thus selectively acculturating while keeping some distance from the mainstream, or they will be forced into the position of racial minorities, imposing great disadvantages on themselves and their children" (Alba, 2006, p. x).

America would not be America without immigrants; several innovations, changes in cultural history, even politics would not have occurred. The crux of the matter is that we are indeed a nation of immigrants. We have told the world for over 200 years that they have the potential of life, liberty, and the pursuit of actualization in a country that welcomes everyone to its shoes. We now have many legal immigrants coming to America each year, and a number of proud new citizens each year as well. We also have an illegal immigration problem, which askes us about our ability to be compassionate vs. The necessity, at times, to be fiscally selfish? Immigration, though, is not just a policy issue, it is a human issue.And it will be the manner in which we handle that portion of the human issue that separates our 21st century policy from our rhetoric, and from our international conventions and attitudes.

REFERENCES

Immigration Surge Called Highest Ever. (December 12, 2005). The Washington

Times. Cited in: http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2005/dec/12/20051212-110459-2662r/

Alba, R. And Nee, V. (2006). Remaking the American Mainstream. New Haven, CT:

Canelos, P.S. (November 11, 2008). Obama Victory Took Root in Kennedy-

Inspired Immigration Act. The Boston Globe. Cited in:

http://www.boston.com/news/politics/2008/articles/2008/11/11/obama_victory_took_root_in_kennedy_inspired_immigration_act/?page=full.....