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Running head: RESPONSIBILITY TO IMMIGRANTS 1

Responsibility to Immigrants

Veronica Horton

MHS 599

Dr. Nowlin

12/10/2016

RESPONSIBILITY TO IMMIGRANTS 2

Human Service Professionals and Immigrants

As my role in helping others as a Human Service professional one of the things I feel is

important and I continuously want to keep learning about is our responsibility to immigrants.

During my internship I had some work with immigrants it was not a lot however, I believe that

human service professionals have a unique opportunity in communities to not hinder but to help

people thrive and be successful no matter their nationality or culture. Immigrants specifically

may require additional resources, understanding, and advocacy. Education about the

contributions immigrants have played in the American culture enable me to know a deeper root

of history to better serve all individuals in the best way possible.

There is a lot of evidence that immigrants contribute to our society more than

many native-born Americans realize and that the U.S. foreign policy has an impact on the

immigration patterns to our country. I want to present some reasons why it is our responsibility

as a society and as human service professionals to develop policies, agencies, and programs that

would create opportunities and resources for immigrants and I suggest some steps we can take in

that direction. Also, I believe that since our foreign policy contributes to immigration flows to

our country, we need to help immigrants integrate into society in an easier and less stressful way.

Citizenship means more than just a legal status; it means the duties and responsibilities

we have to other individuals. As citizens of the U.S. and human service professionals we have an

obligation to assist immigrants in the process of their assimilation to the American society. I

address issues related to the U.S. immigration policy, various educational needs of culturally

diverse learners, the need of health education for immigrants, and the process of immigrants’

integration to the community. Finally, I suggest some initiatives that would bring justice to the

treatment of the foreign-born in our society.


Why People Come

The U.S. is regarded as the land of opportunities and freedom. Immigrants come to the

U.S. searching, hoping, and dreaming of a better life. On the quest for employment to support

one’s family, political freedom, religious tolerance, and opportunities the U.S. provides. Some

people already have members of their family residing in the U.S. and desire reunification with

their loved ones.

Foreign Policy

Nelson-Pallmeyer (2001) focuses on the negative effects of the U.S. foreign policy on the

immigration flow to the U.S. He gives examples of the U. S’s. involvement in the destabilization

of the economy of other countries that has a direct impact on the immigration to our country.

Parrillo (2012) discusses that in 2006 the third largest Hispanic American group present in the

U.S were the Salvadorans. The strong push factors for them were the death squads, military

forces, political activists, and the rise of guerrilla offenses. These were all directly connected to

the actions of the U.S Army’s, School of Americas (SOA) as described by Nelson-Pallmeyer

(2001).

If we take a closer look at the numerous contributions of immigrants to our society and at

the destruction some of our foreign policies cause in their countries of origin, we realize that as

U.S. citizens we have the responsibility both to enact programs and policies for immigrants in

the U.S., and to influence our foreign policymakers to improve living conditions of people in

developing countries rather than keep destroying their economies.

How People Come

For centuries, people have been immigrating to the U.S. to live and work while making

lasting contributions to this country. There are several ways in which one can enter the U.S.


Some immigrants enter legally and are granted citizenship, some enter legally, but overstay their

visa and spend time living as undocumented migrants, some enter illegally and live as

undocumented migrants. For others they go through the naturalization process of legal or illegal

immigrants.

It is very crucial that proper lawful entrance into the U.S. is followed. Having lawfully

permanent status enables one to live and work in the U.S. and gain citizenship status once

eligible. The process to gain legal citizenship is a long and detailed ordeal which many find

unable to complete ultimately resulting in them being in a vulnerable status with fear of being

deported.

Many people may ask why immigrants do not come the legal way. Welcoming the

Strangers: World Relief explains:

It’s easy to romanticize the immigrants to the U.S. of a century ago, but in reality, the

immigrants who came through Ellis Island and in earlier eras came for the same primary

reasons that immigrants come today—and, at the time, they faced much of the same

resentment from some native-born U.S. citizens. What has changed dramatically, though,

and the reason that many immigrants today do not come legally, is immigration policy.

Prior to 1882, no one came illegally to the U.S.—because all immigration was legal:

there was no requirement of a visa and no federal restrictions on who could immigrate.

That began to change with the Chinese Exclusion Act in 1882 and several gradual

changes that, by 1924, nearly closed off immigration to all but a fortunate few. While

immigration reforms passed in 1965 reopened the possibility of immigration for some

groups, current policy provides most who would like to immigrate with no legal option.

(as cited in Welcome the Stranger: World Relief)


Danitcat (2011) tells of when she was in Haiti visiting Tanti Zi’s house. They were

afraid to go inside the house and gathered on the sidewalk in tents and used impoverished

showers. Intimate interactions took place right in front of everyone: a woman bathing her

mother with a bowl and a girl with her boyfriend on a car hood. These every day interactions

were happening on the street for all to observe because houses are unsafe to be in. Danticat

wondered how long they could possible live like that, in the open with the weather. Two of the

twelve have tourists visas to the U.S. however cannot leave because of the children. This is

another way the process is so difficult and stressful on immigrants. They are forced to stay in

bad situation with the children or leave them behind.

Naturalization Process – This is Both for Legal & Undocumented

According to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) under the

Department of Homeland Security (2012), naturalization is when a person who is not born in the

U.S. voluntarily becomes a U.S. citizen. There are 10 general steps to do this and requirements

which must be met first. Situations vary; therefore so do some of the requirements which may or

may not apply to each person. In general the requirements consist of the following: the

applicant must be at least 18 years old; show that s/he has been physically present for at least 5

years legally (have a “green card”); show residency for at least 3 months in the state or USCIS

district where applying; demonstrate an attachment to residency in the U.S. for at least 5 years

immediately prior the date of filing Form N-400; show that they have been physically present in

the U.S. for at least 30 months out of the 5 years immediately prior to the date of filing Form N-

400; be able to read, write, and speak basic English; demonstrate basic comprehension of U.S.

history and government (civics); be a person of good moral character; demonstrate an attachment

to the principles and ideals set forth by the U.S. Constitution. Immigrants may also receive U.S.


citizenship status through a spouse who is an U.S. citizen, has a parent who is, or is a green card

holder through the military.

The U.S. has traditionally welcomed new people from all over the world and values the

contributions that immigrants have contributed to the benefit of the U.S. Upon becoming

citizens of the U.S., immigrants take on new rights and responsibilities. Welcome to the United

States: A Guide for New Immigrants is a comprehensive guide containing practical information

to aid immigrants into everyday life in the United States, as well as basic civics information that

introduces new immigrants to the U.S. government system.

The process of becoming a U.S. citizen is a long and stressful process with many

regulations resulting in many not qualifying to become a U.S. citizen legally. Urrea (2005) tells

the journey of twenty-six men who attempted to cross the Mexican border through the Arizona

desert’s region known as the Devil’s Highway, a desert so harsh and deserted that even the

Border Patrol is scared to travel through it. Twelve of the men survived the desert and instead of

being deported back to Mexico were rewarded immunity for their testimony. The U.S.

government plays by these rules: if you have something to offer, you can stay. However, the

government deems what a person has to offer to be valuable or not. In this case what they have

to offer was not their skill and labor, but their ability to take down a man who would help bring

more immigrants into the U.S.

Contributions

The United States continues to grow and flourish largely because immigrants contribute

to all areas of social life from architecture, food, medical advancements, to technology. Many

foreign born inventors are leading the way in patent awards and patent-producing innovations

which are advancing U.S. industries and are increasing jobs. For example, according to Parrillo


(2012), German immigrants introduced many food items that Americans enjoy today: such as

sauerkraut, hamburgers, pumpernickel bread, and lager beer. They have also had an impact in

the following areas: “Meyer Guggenheim (mining) . . . Bausch and Lomb (optical instruments),

Henry Steinway and Rudolph Wurlitzer (piano), and H. John Heinz (canning food)” (p. 109).

Llamias (2013) provides more examples of immigrant contributions when she reminds us that

some “uniquely American” elements of our culture have been created by immigrants: the

American song “God Bless America” was written by Irving Berlin, a Jewish immigrant; the

White House was designed by James Hoban, born in Ireland in 1785; football was brought by

British immigrants in the 19th century; enclosed shopping malls were designed by Australian

immigrant Victor David Gruen in 1938; a German immigrant John Augustus Roebling designed

the Brooklyn Bridge; and thanks goes to Sergey Mikhaylovich Brin for co-founding Google.

Jacob W Davis an immigrant from Riga City in 1854 partnered with Levis Straus in 1872

reinforcing his design for blue jeans. Santa Claus was inspired by the Dutch legend of Sinterlaas

(Saint Nicholas) brought to the U.S. by Dutch immigrants in the 17th century. The Santa Claus

image was created by a Swedish artist, Haddon Hubbard for Coca-Cola advertising. The

American superhero and cultural icon Superman is an immigrant from Krypton. Joseph Shuster,

Superman’s co-creator is from Canada. This is a small list of contributions made by immigrants

there are many other contributing groups that have impacted the U.S. to name them all.

Impact of Immigration on the U.S. Economy

Part of being a citizen is contributing to the labor market. Immigrants in the U.S. account

for 16 percent of the labor market (Orrenius and Zavodny, 2012). Immigrants contribute in

many ways with regards to the economy. For instance, according to Orrenius and Zavadny

(2012), the low-skilled immigrant worker has created an ample supply of nannies and maids in


many communities. This leads to added supply of well-educated U.S. citizens the opportunity to

work in higher wage positions because it decreases the time which is required for household and

child rearing. With an increase in immigration this allows for more U.S. citizens to move into

communications-intensive jobs and away from manual labor jobs.

According to Orrenius and Zavadny (2012), some states have established laws supporting

immigrants, legal or not. In Utah, while it was bearing down on unauthorized immigrant

workers they simultaneously went after a federal waiver allowing a grant for guest-worker status

allowing unauthorized immigrants to be employed. Although there is progression in some states,

according to Parrillo (2012), there is a dual labor market. The primary labor market employs

workers at decent wages, pays taxes, and provides health insurance. The second labor market is

where the majority of minorities work and is unregulated lower paying jobs. These jobs often

times are paid in cash and offer no form of benefits.

Winfield (2001) further discusses how times have changed through the years with black

professionals. These same observations can be seen throughout immigrants. The role of being a

citizen is not merely for one culture. Through Winfield (2001), we can see how the black

professionals shed light on many other things which are sociologically important. It allows the

assessment in social inequality, understanding social institutions, family, and education

programs.

With the knowledge of how race and immigrants play a role in society we can better

prepare and equip for the future. Working is a fundamental attribution to being a citizen in the

U.S. and providing the resources for immigrants to be successful at obtaining employment is

crucial to globalization. For the immigrants who are working in the U.S. and sending money to

family that they left in their homeland, this helps them survive as well as spend money in their


country. When they spend money they are in turn helping business and families within their own

community.

Wages

According to Parrillo (2012), the thought that immigrants lowering wages does not deal

with the skilled workers but gives the U.S. economy a lift. One study of Mexican immigrants

showed that the reduction of high school drop outs lowered by 7 percent between 1980 and 2000.

Immigration as not lowered the wages for U.S. workers, however, the percentage of native born

drop-outs has dramatically declined over the past decades. What is occurring is that immigrants

and low-skilled U.S. workers are filling the jobs that higher educated individuals do not want.

Generally immigrants do not go after the same jobs that U.S. workers go after. Parrillo

(2012); provides the following examples: 54 percent of tailors in the U.S. are foreign born

whereas crane operators are less than 1 percent. Another example of this is that 44 percent of

plaster-stucco masons are immigrants whereas less than 1 percent being sewer-pipe cleaners who

are foreign born. Immigrants bring different skills and ideas to the U.S. and clearly benefit the

economy and society.

How They Are Treated

In spite of these the reciprocity of our policies, agencies, and programs directed towards

immigrants are dismal if not non-existent. Golash-Boza (2012), addresses the lack of due

process for immigrants and refugees in the U.S., leaving them stressed and scared of being

deported back to their homeland. Due process protection does not apply to immigrants living in

the U.S. The Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency is in charge of detaining

immigrants who are suspected that they have violated the Immigration and Nationality Act

(INA).


As a result, immigrants live with the daily fear of being deported for minor crimes despite

having lived in the U.S. almost their entire lives. Those convicted of more serious crimes “face

mandatory deportation without a discretionary hearing where family and community ties can be

considered” (Golash-Boza, xi). The U.S. courts defend their actions in deportation of the

foreign-born declaring that it is not a form of punishment, while immigrants being deported feel

it is “one of the worst imaginable punishments” (Golash-Boza, xi). Even though many

immigrants have lived in the U.S. for decades, at any time, they may be banished from the U.S.

and forced to leave behind their family, friends, careers, and an established life.

Suggested Solutions

Part of the responsibility the U.S. has as a host country to many immigrants is to make

education a priority. As previously discussed, the U.S. population has benefitted throughout

history from many immigrants. Education is for everyone not just certain groups and it consists

of more than just classroom learning. By providing accessible education to immigrants the U.S.

can only benefit from it. With education comes empowerment for people to obtain higher

paying jobs which result in less need for governmental assistance and increases spending in

communities which furthermore adds to tax dollars being collected.

Meeting the needs of culturally diverse learners can be rather challenging, however, one

that must occur and be met. With the rapid growth of immigrants some educational challenges

have occurred. Schools have been left struggling to provide education for many students

because of the language gap. Many immigrants do not speak, write, or read English very well if

at all this creating a much needed opportunity for the U.S. to step up and create additional

programs to teach English to all, enabling individuals to become fluent in multiple languages.


Albrecht and Sehlaoui (2008), discuss how English language learners (ELL) generally

have conversational skills but lack academic language necessary for the classroom. Studies

revealed that ELL students’ vocabulary scores were between the 20th and 30th percentages. With

language playing such a vital role the American society and education system, it is critical that

reading, writing, comprehension, and speech among immigrants is taught. Teaching ELL as

soon as possible will help make life for an immigrant easier and less stressful allowing them the

greatest opportunity to be successful in the U.S.

Providing higher level education is critical to society. According to Orrenius and

Zavodny (2012), twelve states allow some or partial unauthorized immigrants to pay for in-state

college tuition. California offers refunds for stated funded financial aid. The benefit between

allowing immigrants to attend college and the correlation working go hand in hand.

Many immigrants come to the U.S. and are highly educated some having earned their

doctorate degrees from their native country however, the U.S. does not recognize or accept their

degree. This leaves many immigrants with two options; they can either go to school again here

in the U.S. or take low-skilled jobs. This can be very discouraging, stressful, and upsetting to

someone who is well educated and prepared to integrate into society.

Responsible versus Not Responsible

Some U.S. citizens may feel that we as a society owe nothing to immigrants. Gold

(2009), discusses the idea that immigrants are uneducated, poor, and lack the interest in joining

American society. They fear that the existence of immigrants endangers national unity and

confuses citizens’ obligation to one another. A fear of social transformation brought on by

immigrants will replace the longstanding bases of American identity an identity rooted in

nationalism, shared origins, and mutual obligation between U.S. citizens. It is with these


negative ideas that some U.S. citizens reject the idea of allowing and accepting immigrants into

the U.S. with the belief that the U.S. should retain ethnic and nationalistic forms of moral

communities and a focused emphases of our obligation to the well-being of our fellow U.S.

citizens, leaving the fate of others elsewhere.

Those with this mindset and belief that immigrants have not contributed anything or do

not deserve to have any reciprocation towards them have missed the facts about immigrants and

their contribution to the U.S. To say that we as a nation have no responsibility or obligation to

develop policies, agencies, and programs to help immigrants integrate into society easier and less

stressful are perhaps coming from the uneducated minds of society.

Gold (2009); continues to defend why we as U.S. citizens have a responsibility to

immigrants and continued support and encouragement of their successful integration to the U.S.

While immigration can pose some issues for the U.S. evidence shows that the risks outweigh the

fears associated with immigration in the U.S. Facts are that contemporary immigrants to the

U.S. are not members of the low-wage immigration stream; on the contrary they are among the

highly educated professionals migrating to the U.S. They are being employed with high paid

occupations such as: professors, technicians, engineers, nurses, economists, and entrepreneurs.

“In 2006, 27% of the foreign-born population age 25 or older had a BA or higher degree . . . 40%

are PhD scientists working in the U.S.” (Gold, 2009).

Gold (2009), points out that the U.S. has come to expect a certain way of life and it is

largely due to the impact and contributions that immigrants have made to the U.S. For instance,

the healthcare, transportation, and public works which are all associated with the American way

of living. When highly educated immigrants come to the U.S. the native born naturally benefit


without having to pay for their training. For those who immigrate and continue their education

in the U.S. between 70% and 96% continue to stay for a minimal of 5 years after they graduate.

According to Gold (2009), the worry of overpopulating a city, raising real estate prices,

over using social services, causing congestion in the transportation systems, and polluting the

environment is not justifiable. The addition to communities helps with labor shortages and

demographic stabilization where the immigrants help pay for the native-born individuals that are

retiring.

Finally Gold (2009), Americans worry that immigrants will not honor the U.S.’s

traditions and customs. This however is not true and what better indicator than one’s willingness

to serve in the U.S. military, as of 2008 there were 65,000 immigrants serving on active duty in

the U.S. Armed Forces, accounting for 5% of all active duty personnel. After September 11,

2001, the U.S. has naturalized over 37,250 immigrants, and granted posthumous citizenship to

111 service members whom were killed in the line of duty.

The fact is, that with so many immigrants willing to serve in U.S. armed forces during a

war which is both dangerous and internationally is an unpopular choice shows that their level of

patriotism is significantly worthy of our ability to reciprocate and develop policies, agencies, and

programs to create better resources to aid in their integration into U.S. society easier.

Conclusion

Based on the analysis and interpretation of data I would suggest more education for all

people. We as human service professionals are in unique situations to not only help immigrants

but to help educate our communities. The reality is, not enough U.S. citizens are aware of the

contributions, sacrifices, and hard work that immigrants have done and continue to do for the

U.S. The image of immigration needs to be factual and reveal their positive contributions made


in society. Education and acceptance of all individuals no matter their culture background or

whether they are an immigrant or a native born person needs to occur. I would encourage

individuals and our government to be responsible in developing policies, agencies, and programs

that would create opportunities and resources for immigrants to help them integrate into society

in an easier and less stressful way. After all, immigrants choose to come to the U.S. and choose

to contribute to the American society in which American love.

I think it is important that we as citizen and human service professionals keep discussing,

educating, and recognizing immigration and what needs to be done by our government and

society. Human service professionals need to give a voice to those who do not have one. As

Mitt Romney said, “We are a nation of immigrants. We are the children, grandchildren, and

great-grandchildren of the ones who wanted a better life, the driven ones, and the ones who woke

up at night hearing that voice telling them that life in that place called America could be better.”


References

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International Journal of Diversity in Organizations, Communities & Nations, 8(5), 153-

160.

Danticat, E. (2011). Create Dangerously the Immigrant Artist at Work. New York: Vintage

Books.

Department of Homeland Security. (2016). Retrieved from www.uscis.gov/citizenship

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7657.2012.01021.x

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