Immigration

Letters from America- An Immigrant’s Letter Home [|The Huddled Masses] : The Statue of Liberty was a gift from Republican France to the United States to truly show us their intentions of replacing Napoleon III with a republican government. It now symbolizes the freedom of all of the people that immigrated to the United States. Many people donated money to finish the project, including the new immigrants in New York City.  [|The New Immigrants] : Between 1882 and 1914 over 20 million immigrants came to the United States. Most of the people that got to see the Statue of Liberty came from eastern and southern Europe. The trip across the Atlantic Ocean cost only $10. Many of the immigrants that came to the US were Jewish or Catholic. [|The Chinese Exclusion Act] : Between 1882 and 1943 immigrants from China were banned under the Chinese Exclusion Act. The only Chinese people that were allowed in the country were teachers, students, and travelers. Even the people who had been working towards citizenship were now not allowed to apply to become a legal citizen. This was the first time the United States denied a group of people citizenship because of race. In 1892 the Geary Act forced Chinese immigrants to carry documentation of their legal right to be in the US. [|Contract Agreement] : Manual laborers were needed in tropical climates so many Chinese immigrants worked under a contract agreement. This meant that they worked nine hours a day and in turn, received a small salary, clothes, food, and medical care. Another version of this was the bank loaned someone money and they paid the bank back, plus interest, as they earned money. Indentured labor was a legal alternative to slavery. Some countries put restrictions on how many men and women were allowed to be contracted. [|Immigration Restriction] : During the late 19th century, the United States, as well as many other countries started to put limitations on who could immigrate into the country. People who were sick, illiterate or those who were immoral were not allowed into the US. After World War I and II, many countries started thinking that aliens would threaten national security. During the 20th century many countries began enforcing passport and travel regulations. [|United States's Changing Face] : The United States has millions of immigrants. In fact, America is the first multi-racial advanced industrial society. Most immigrants live in concentrated metropolitan areas. Some immigrants are well educated and work in business positions, while others continue to work in laborious jobs. The more migrants that come into the country, the more some people become anti-immigrant. They feel that foreigners take American’s jobs and wages.




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Dear Cousin Annette, How are you? I miss you so much! As you know, I left our home country of Lithuania to come to the United States of America. I wanted to let you know that I have arrived in New York City safe and sound and am beginning to lead a semi-normal life. The trip here was very hard, but I believe it was worth it. The ship I took from Klaipeda to New York City was very crowded with limited supplies. It cost me $10 in steerage, which is the lowest class on the ship. When I arrived, I went through processing at Ellis Island. There they checked that I was not sick and that I would not be a danger or hindrance on the United States. Lithuania just did not have enough economic opportunity for me. I felt like I could do much better in a different country, and America looked promising, and so far, it has been! Last week, I went around the city to begin applying for jobs. I went into a local lawyer’s office and asked if he had any availability. Mr. Price offered me a job as his secretary, so I type papers and memos for him, answer telephones, and do other errands that need done. I am very fortunate because there are limited jobs available for immigrants other than in sweat shop factories. Mr. Price told me that I would be a good worker because I could already speak English and I am very quick on the typewriter. He treats me very well and I get very reasonable hours per week. I am making $4 a week which is better than the women working in the garment factories! Life in America is much better than my old life in Lithuania. I feel like I have much more freedom to do as I please. I went out for coffee with a gentleman that I met the other day in the butcher shop. It was a lot of fun and Charlie is such an interesting man. I have also eaten some amazing food since I have arrived in New York City. I went into Chinatown, where most of the Chinese immigrants moved. Their food is very delicious! I had white rice with chicken in some kind of sauce. It was unlike anything I have ever eaten before! I bought myself a new outfit when I arrived. Because I live close to the garment district, I went into a discount store and bought a new dress. I felt like I deserved to look very professional for my first day of work. Next I want to buy myself a new pair of shoes. Hopefully I will have saved enough money soon to buy them. America has many wonderful things, but it is not all glamorous. Being an immigrant is hard because New York City is very crowded. Apartment buildings and houses are overpopulated with extremely high rent prices. Though I am not discriminated at work because Mr. Price is a very gracious man, many people are. New York City and being an immigrant here is challenging sometimes, I am with thousands of people that are in the same situation as me. When I am feeling especially discouraged, I look around and see others that are worse off than I am. So far in America I have learned a lot and am truly grateful that I completed the journey from Lithuania. Annette, I think you should come over with me! New York City is a bustling place with many adventures to be had. The jobs may have long hours, but there is much economic opportunity here. There are many different cultures to experience and enjoy with a lot of very delicious food. Through the tough times I may think about going back to Lithuania, but I would never actually do so. America’s benefits outweigh the downfalls, and overall, I am free. Please consider coming, write back as soon as you can. I love you and miss you!

Love, Helen