Immigration Project: Mexicans vs. Cubans The United States is known to be a country built on immigration, and till this day it continues to be one of the most popular migration places in the world. Whether it is looking for better job or carrier opportunities, escaping conflict or violence, religious freedom, or just looking for a better place to raise their children with access to education, they all aspire for the same thing “The American Dream”. The focus of this paper will be Mexican migration vs Cuban migration. The reason for migration, their process, the role they played in their new homeland, shared experiences, and lessons learned. Mexican immigration is usually related to economic prosperity (Aguirre, 2002). Most if not all Mexican,
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Legally there are about one hundred and eight five visas available, the most common are for tourism, business, work, studying, or visiting family (Zong and Batalova, 2016). When done legally they can eventually apply for citizenship. Yet the sad reality is the process is too long and too expensive for them to do so. Causing most of them to come illegally. The three main illegal tactics Mexicans use to cross the border are through river, desert, or vehicle. All three are very dangerous and have deadly consequences, sadly in many cases their lives are worth the risk. Another way is through refugee status or asylum, but their chances of being eligible are quite slim, because most of them are believed to come for economic reasons. For many years, Cubans had the Cuban Adjustment Act; anyone who fled Cuba and entered the United States seeking refugee would be granted residency a year later. The Clinton Administration soon changed it to the Wet Foot Dry Foot Policy; a Cuban found in waters between the two nations with “wet feet” would be sent back, and one whom made it with “dry feet” would be allowed to stay in the United States and latter qualify for expedited legal permanent residency. This policy was not terminated until January 2017, during the Obama Administration (Batalova and …show more content…
California and Texas are the largest migrating states for Mexicans due to the proximity and high availability to work there. In September 2015, California reported to house 11,423,000 immigrants and Texas reported 7,951,000 immigrants (Zong and Batalova, 2016). While California is known to be more accepting of immigrants, Texas has the reputation of being less accepting. The reason for this is many Americans believe Mexicans steal jobs intended for Americas. Sadly, the only jobs Mexicans are occupying are those no American wants. From housekeepers and maids, to butchers, meat processors, construction laborers, janitors and agriculturists. Mexicans play a very important role in society without them not many Americans would be willing to work these jobs since they usually require little formal education, pay low wages, and have no benefits. Migration from Cuba to United States is mainly in Florida followed by New York. In the year, 2015 Florida reported approximately 734,000 Cuban residents and New York reported 65,000(Batalova and Zong, 2017). In the case of Cuban immigrants Florida and New York where very accepting. Perhaps because they came as refugees and soon after became citizens. Fortunately, for Cubans their job opportunities are much better after receiving citizenship, and more so for the future offspring. Since the opportunity of a furthered education or
Legally there are about one hundred and eight five visas available, the most common are for tourism, business, work, studying, or visiting family (Zong and Batalova, 2016). When done legally they can eventually apply for citizenship. Yet the sad reality is the process is too long and too expensive for them to do so. Causing most of them to come illegally. The three main illegal tactics Mexicans use to cross the border are through river, desert, or vehicle. All three are very dangerous and have deadly consequences, sadly in many cases their lives are worth the risk. Another way is through refugee status or asylum, but their chances of being eligible are quite slim, because most of them are believed to come for economic reasons. For many years, Cubans had the Cuban Adjustment Act; anyone who fled Cuba and entered the United States seeking refugee would be granted residency a year later. The Clinton Administration soon changed it to the Wet Foot Dry Foot Policy; a Cuban found in waters between the two nations with “wet feet” would be sent back, and one whom made it with “dry feet” would be allowed to stay in the United States and latter qualify for expedited legal permanent residency. This policy was not terminated until January 2017, during the Obama Administration (Batalova and …show more content…
California and Texas are the largest migrating states for Mexicans due to the proximity and high availability to work there. In September 2015, California reported to house 11,423,000 immigrants and Texas reported 7,951,000 immigrants (Zong and Batalova, 2016). While California is known to be more accepting of immigrants, Texas has the reputation of being less accepting. The reason for this is many Americans believe Mexicans steal jobs intended for Americas. Sadly, the only jobs Mexicans are occupying are those no American wants. From housekeepers and maids, to butchers, meat processors, construction laborers, janitors and agriculturists. Mexicans play a very important role in society without them not many Americans would be willing to work these jobs since they usually require little formal education, pay low wages, and have no benefits. Migration from Cuba to United States is mainly in Florida followed by New York. In the year, 2015 Florida reported approximately 734,000 Cuban residents and New York reported 65,000(Batalova and Zong, 2017). In the case of Cuban immigrants Florida and New York where very accepting. Perhaps because they came as refugees and soon after became citizens. Fortunately, for Cubans their job opportunities are much better after receiving citizenship, and more so for the future offspring. Since the opportunity of a furthered education or