Enacted on November 6, 1986, the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986 required employers to attest to their employees' immigration status; made it illegal to knowingly hire or recruit unauthorized immigrants; granted amnesty to certain seasonal agricultural illegal immigrants; granted amnesty to illegal immigrants who entered the United States before January 1, 1982 and had resided there continuously. About three million illegal immigrants were granted amnesty.
Some employers ended up discriminating against workers that appeared foreign. I feel like this Act is a precursor to E-Verify. The requirement of E-Verify in the hiring process damages the businesses’ productivity instead of improving it. Fortunately, employers know the positives and negatives of having the program. Even in Arizona, “nearly a third of [new hires] don’t get vetted by E-Verify” (Pagliery).
Another concern employers face is the accuracy of the program. E-Verify has a high accuracy rate, but it’s not perfect. Although it has a low percentage of inaccuracy, people are still suffering under the mistakes and need to take another step to contest it, thus prolonging the hiring process for employers more. In 2011, Pagliery finds through U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services that “more than 46,000 [people] were incorrectly flagged and had to contest the results” (Pagliery). Whatever E-Verify’s accuracy rates are, 46,000 is a large number and if all of the other states were to use this program to the extent like Arizona, at least two million people suffer under that statistic. E-Verify also cannot detect people who are using the credentials of a citizen’s. If employers hire illegal immigrants that are using other credentials and Homeland Security, for example, were to investigate, the employer would face serious sanctions under Romney that could end up devastatingly. Arizona’s punishment for hiring illegal immigrants are: a suspension of a business license on the first offense and a revocation of the business license on a second offense. If employers do not thoroughly research each new-hire, they could possibly lose their business. Imagine if all the states were required to use E-Verify. There are about 311 million citizens in the United States and with E-Verify’s 3% chance of error; nearly 10 million people would need to contest their citizenship statuses. The productivity of businesses would be damaged while denying US citizens work.
Monday, December 3, 2012
Chapter 12: From the New World - Mexicans and Puerto Ricans
Mexican immigration is a widely discussed issue because of the aftermath of the 2012 election. Romney didn't really have much of a plan (I'd call it a temporary excuse for the next guy if he won) and Obama had more of a comprehensive immigration reform plan that makes sense. Romney is too rich and out of touch. He probably doesn't even know a Mexican person.
When people think about Mexican immigration, the first thing that comes to mind is illegal immigration. Mexicans are not the only ones who illegally immigrate! People from all parts of the word do this whether by jumping a high-tech fence or overstaying his or her visa. However, it's interesting how Mexican Americans have the lowest naturalization wait.
I honestly don't know much about Puerto Rico other than it's an US territory. Even as labelled as an "US territory," I still couldn't define what that would mean. I know that Puerto Rico is petitioning to become the 51st state of the United States. According to the book, Puerto Rico sounds like a small poor island that everyone who's from their loves, since not many people migrate. I'd like to go to Puerto Rico one day. From what I've seen on TV, Puerto Ricans love their country and take great pride in it. A bright sun everyday doesn't hurt either!
When people think about Mexican immigration, the first thing that comes to mind is illegal immigration. Mexicans are not the only ones who illegally immigrate! People from all parts of the word do this whether by jumping a high-tech fence or overstaying his or her visa. However, it's interesting how Mexican Americans have the lowest naturalization wait.
I honestly don't know much about Puerto Rico other than it's an US territory. Even as labelled as an "US territory," I still couldn't define what that would mean. I know that Puerto Rico is petitioning to become the 51st state of the United States. According to the book, Puerto Rico sounds like a small poor island that everyone who's from their loves, since not many people migrate. I'd like to go to Puerto Rico one day. From what I've seen on TV, Puerto Ricans love their country and take great pride in it. A bright sun everyday doesn't hurt either!
Chapter 11: Migration in Prosperity, Depression, and War, 1921-1945
The first few pages had too many numbers listed in each paragraph. However, looking at the tables, I wish I knew the population of the US during that time so I could understand the context.
Although the Great Depression was a very desolate time for many people, it did achieve what nativism was looking for: more immigrants leaving, than coming to the US. I guess there was an upside, but perhaps people were too sad and poor that they didn't care about immigrants.
It's kind of funny that FDR created the War Refugee Board (WRB) but it didn't bring refugees into the US. The term, "European Jewry" isn't heard much these days, at least in a social setting. I've never heard this type of terminology until this book.
"Although the United States fought against totalitarianism and racism in World War II, one of its most significant acts on the home front was to adapt one of the institutions of its most feared opponent - the concentration camp - for use against Japanese Americans" (Daniels 302)
It's sad that Japanese Americans generally had no connection with Japan, especially since many of them were born in America. People today sometimes have a hard time distinguishing Asians and Asian Americans even these days. WWII in America was full of ironies and hypocrisy. For example, German enemy soldiers were treated better than black soldiers all because of their skin colors. A false depiction of what WWII was like through a movie was Captain America. In the movie, the soldiers are shown as one diverse group when in reality, they were all in separate groups.
Although the Great Depression was a very desolate time for many people, it did achieve what nativism was looking for: more immigrants leaving, than coming to the US. I guess there was an upside, but perhaps people were too sad and poor that they didn't care about immigrants.
It's kind of funny that FDR created the War Refugee Board (WRB) but it didn't bring refugees into the US. The term, "European Jewry" isn't heard much these days, at least in a social setting. I've never heard this type of terminology until this book.
"Although the United States fought against totalitarianism and racism in World War II, one of its most significant acts on the home front was to adapt one of the institutions of its most feared opponent - the concentration camp - for use against Japanese Americans" (Daniels 302)
It's sad that Japanese Americans generally had no connection with Japan, especially since many of them were born in America. People today sometimes have a hard time distinguishing Asians and Asian Americans even these days. WWII in America was full of ironies and hypocrisy. For example, German enemy soldiers were treated better than black soldiers all because of their skin colors. A false depiction of what WWII was like through a movie was Captain America. In the movie, the soldiers are shown as one diverse group when in reality, they were all in separate groups.
Wednesday, November 21, 2012
My Thanksgiving
Although my parents have been together for 35 years, I have to go to two thanksgivings. On my father’s side, we have about 45 people in our family; 95% attends thanksgiving. On my mother’s side, we have about 70 people and about 50% attends since a group of them are in the Philippines. One day to celebrate would be too hectic and we wouldn’t be able to enjoy each others’ company.
On both sides, we don’t really have any traditions or customs that aren’t too different than American ones. Thanksgiving is about EATING! There are Asian foods that we serve in accordance with traditional thanksgiving foods like turkey. After the day of thanksgiving, I do have turkey porridage.
I see my families multiple times during the year, but we are always happy to see each other. It’s a testament to how close I am to my large families. They all know each other too! My parents always have parties or get-togethers to mix our families and extend them in a way. It’s quite lovely.
On both sides, we don’t really have any traditions or customs that aren’t too different than American ones. Thanksgiving is about EATING! There are Asian foods that we serve in accordance with traditional thanksgiving foods like turkey. After the day of thanksgiving, I do have turkey porridage.
I see my families multiple times during the year, but we are always happy to see each other. It’s a testament to how close I am to my large families. They all know each other too! My parents always have parties or get-togethers to mix our families and extend them in a way. It’s quite lovely.
Wednesday, November 14, 2012
Chapter 15: Caribbeans, Central American, and Soviet Jews
Soviet Jews? The Soviet Union no longer exists.
The annexation of Cuba was executed by Souther politicians, before the Civil War. In its short history, the US has colonized in many places like Great Britain. A few that are off the top of my head: Guam, Hawaii, parts of mainland US, Virgin Islands, Cuba, Puerto Rico, etc.
Key West, FL became the first Cuban American community. I've visited there once. It's actually really nice and sort of reminds me of Hawaii in a way. It's very tropical with amazing beaches. I was only 13 years old when I visited, so I didn't understand why there were so many cigars being sold or what a "rum cake" was.
The Cuban Refugee Program is a clear indicator of what the US's intentions were: fighting communism, and not necessarily for the good of the people.
The annexation of Cuba was executed by Souther politicians, before the Civil War. In its short history, the US has colonized in many places like Great Britain. A few that are off the top of my head: Guam, Hawaii, parts of mainland US, Virgin Islands, Cuba, Puerto Rico, etc.
Key West, FL became the first Cuban American community. I've visited there once. It's actually really nice and sort of reminds me of Hawaii in a way. It's very tropical with amazing beaches. I was only 13 years old when I visited, so I didn't understand why there were so many cigars being sold or what a "rum cake" was.
The Cuban Refugee Program is a clear indicator of what the US's intentions were: fighting communism, and not necessarily for the good of the people.
Monday, November 12, 2012
Chapter 14: Model Minority
Asian immigrants settled in the western states simply because the west coast of the US is closer than the east coast and Asians tend to remain in family groups. This works out well for me since I am of Asian descendent and most of my family is within a day's drive. I have an incredibly close knit family on both sides of my parents: my mother's side has approximately 50 people and my father's side has 30 people (these estimations are only on immediate family members).
The first and most famous Chinatown is in San Francisco, CA. It remained more of a ghetto until the 1980s and became more of a tourist site later on. My father immigrated as a toddler from Hong Kong in the 1960s through the passage of the Paper Sons. My family was incredibly poor back then and settled in Chinatown. They were so poor that people living in the ghetto avoided my dad because they thought he'd beg for money. Also, my family literally sailed across the Pacific Ocean in a boat. My grandma says it was a 1-2 week journey. Even though she's been in the US consistently for about 50 years, she still does not speak English well. She's never needed to.
My mother, on the other hand, took an airplane from Manila, Philippines when she was 6 years old. My grandparents found a path of citizenship through the Immigration Act of 1965. Because my Filipino family was educated before immigrating, they were better off in assimilating in American culture. Most of the received employment soon after arriving since they've all graduated from college.
Between my mother and father, they have had two different immigration perspectives. Although this is true, the reason why they both work so hard is similar: their parents risked a lot by immigrating to another country for more opportunities so it's their jobs to seize those opportunities.
My view on Vietnamese immigrants/refugees is also somewhat personal even though I'm not ethnically Vietnamese. I'm from Milpitas, which neighbors San Jose. San Jose has the largest Vietnamese population in California. They're about 40% of the city's population. Many of my Vietnamese friends' families migrated in the 1980s, after the Vietnam War. My boyfriend's mother fled Vietnam, but was caught by the Communists and jailed. She spent 6 months in jail in her teenage years but ultimately found refuge in the US as an adult.
Most of my experience with Asian immigration is very personal since I am of Asian descent and I am of the 2nd generation. Most of my friends, also of Asian descent, follow this mold also. Our issue growing up has been fully embracing our Asian culture while still being American.
Some of my immediate family on my mother's side, which includes my parents, my aunites, my uncles, and my cousin.
The first and most famous Chinatown is in San Francisco, CA. It remained more of a ghetto until the 1980s and became more of a tourist site later on. My father immigrated as a toddler from Hong Kong in the 1960s through the passage of the Paper Sons. My family was incredibly poor back then and settled in Chinatown. They were so poor that people living in the ghetto avoided my dad because they thought he'd beg for money. Also, my family literally sailed across the Pacific Ocean in a boat. My grandma says it was a 1-2 week journey. Even though she's been in the US consistently for about 50 years, she still does not speak English well. She's never needed to.
My mother, on the other hand, took an airplane from Manila, Philippines when she was 6 years old. My grandparents found a path of citizenship through the Immigration Act of 1965. Because my Filipino family was educated before immigrating, they were better off in assimilating in American culture. Most of the received employment soon after arriving since they've all graduated from college.
Between my mother and father, they have had two different immigration perspectives. Although this is true, the reason why they both work so hard is similar: their parents risked a lot by immigrating to another country for more opportunities so it's their jobs to seize those opportunities.
My view on Vietnamese immigrants/refugees is also somewhat personal even though I'm not ethnically Vietnamese. I'm from Milpitas, which neighbors San Jose. San Jose has the largest Vietnamese population in California. They're about 40% of the city's population. Many of my Vietnamese friends' families migrated in the 1980s, after the Vietnam War. My boyfriend's mother fled Vietnam, but was caught by the Communists and jailed. She spent 6 months in jail in her teenage years but ultimately found refuge in the US as an adult.
Most of my experience with Asian immigration is very personal since I am of Asian descent and I am of the 2nd generation. Most of my friends, also of Asian descent, follow this mold also. Our issue growing up has been fully embracing our Asian culture while still being American.
Friday, October 26, 2012
Chapter 10: The Triumph of Nativism
"Anti-Catholic" was largely aimed at Irish Americans? That's pretty heavy. It seems like such a general term but it was aimed mostly at one group. "Anti-Asian" is shocking to hear/read also because it's not a widely used term here in California and hopefully nowhere else. I'm Catholic and of Asian descendent. If I lived in the 1800s, my life would be incredibly unpleasant and I probably wouldn't be living in the US even though I was born here. That is a life I don't want to imagine since everything I have and know now would be false.
The part about Maria Monk's, Awful Disclosures of the Hotel Dieu Nunnery of Montreal (1836) was pretty interesting. Monk sounds somewhat of a crazy owman and the her demise sounds so depressing. She gets caught pickpocketing some guy and dies in jail for that crime. Sounds like the modern day crack addict, except without the crack and the addiction.
The extent of how Asians were excluded from being American is amazing. It took so much effort, power, and energy to keep them out of the US. The chapter is pretty long, and the amount of text about the Chinese Exclusion act goes on for awhile. All for the economic interest of white working men. Cheap Asian labor probably stimulated the economy very well but it wasn't enough to place them in a higher class of society. They were like the new African slaves.
The part about Maria Monk's, Awful Disclosures of the Hotel Dieu Nunnery of Montreal (1836) was pretty interesting. Monk sounds somewhat of a crazy owman and the her demise sounds so depressing. She gets caught pickpocketing some guy and dies in jail for that crime. Sounds like the modern day crack addict, except without the crack and the addiction.
The extent of how Asians were excluded from being American is amazing. It took so much effort, power, and energy to keep them out of the US. The chapter is pretty long, and the amount of text about the Chinese Exclusion act goes on for awhile. All for the economic interest of white working men. Cheap Asian labor probably stimulated the economy very well but it wasn't enough to place them in a higher class of society. They were like the new African slaves.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)