Positive And Negative Effects Of Immigration

President Franklin D. Roosevelt once said, “Remember, remember always, that all of us, and you and I especially, are descended from immigrants and revolutionists” (Franklin D. Roosevelt). This quote accurately sums up the majority of Americans in the United States. Immigration is seen in so many different positive and negative ways in our country today. Immigration can be defined as “ a person who comes to a country to take up permanent residence” (Webster 1828), and there are many functions and dysfunctions linked to this particular word. The diversity gained, the economic impact, and contribution to taxes can each be seen as a function or dysfunction in our society today. There are numerous unique opportunities US citizens gain culturally by allowing immigrants to enter our country. American students gain knowledge regarding other countries such as Mexico, Europe, or Asia through the interaction of foreign-born students. High schools now offer Spanish and French classes in order to prepare students to learn other languages. Many companies throughout the United Sates require a bilingual speaking candidate when looking for workers to fill their positions. Because our population is made up of nearly twenty-one percent foreign speakers, this has become a requirement. I work at a retail store and I encounter a …show more content…
Just as immigrants face persecution, stereotypes and life altering events, the same is true of my ancestors. My ancestors were originally from Germany and were immigrants to this country in the 1840s. I do not know their detailed immigration story but in the 1850s my ancestors on my fathers side of the family migrated from Iowa to Salt Lake City, Utah in the Martin Willie Handcart Company. They were considered pioneers as they traveled by handcart for a year in 1856. Nearly ten percent of these people died of frostbite, starvation, and other natural causes while on their journey.