Genderie's heritage story was cool! It was surprising to find out that some of her ancestors were from Ireland. She also had Spanish ancestors just like me. Both of our moms also went to the US for a better life and education but came back because they were being treated unfairly. It is interesting to see that others share some of the same family history as I do.
Carolina's immigration video was inspiring. It is amazing was so many people are willing to go through just to be a US citizen. The 63 year old lady surprised me. She took a test and was proud of all she had studied to reach her dream of being a legal citizen. I agree with Carolina that not all immigrants go to the US to for drug trafficking or to steal Americans' job. Most come in search of a better life and are willing to do anything and take even the dirtiest jobs to achieve their goals.
Itze's journal of a German immigrant almost made me cry. I was awed by the story of the little boy who was sitting next to a corpse holding his hand. I couldn't imagine myself being in a situation like that. It is horrible to feel so much fear that you or your family could die at any moment. Also the dream the man had was awful. It showed how much he feared for the safety of his family and how much he loved them.This journal was incredibly touching.
I agree with Tiffany's opinion of her news article. It is true that immigrants come to look for a better life but they should follow the rules. They are not being fair by trying to make their children citizens and using them as an excuse to stay. I agree that the US should find a way to help this people and not just try to kick them all out. They don't have the resources to improve their ling conditions and work hard to get what they ave, therefore they deserved to receive a little help.
Friday, February 18, 2011
Thursday, February 17, 2011
My Family's Immigration History
My mom moved to the US when she was about 10 years old. She went to live with her dad to Hartford, Connecticut looking for a better life. There she stayed for about 3 years and went to a public school during those years. She did not know English which made it very hard for her to communicate with others. At that time many of the people there were racists and disliked Latinos, especially Puerto Ricans. Since my mom could not answer them whenever they asked her a question they thought she did not want anything to do with them or did not want to talk to them. One day my mom was walking home from school and three girls watched her and started to punch and kick her. They pulled her hair and scraped her face with their nails. She went home badly hurt. My grandfather went to the school and told the principal about it. The principal suspended the girls but my mom was still scared to go to school. She then tried to learn English and socialize more with Americans but she couldn’t and did not get used to that lifestyle. She finally decided to go back to Puerto Rico because even though she did not get the education she was getting in the US and did not have a more comfortable house, she felt happier in her homeland.
My grandmother’s grandfather was Spanish. He immigrated to Puerto Rico from Spain between the 1890’s and 1920’s and settled here. Then he met and married a Puerto Rican woman. They stayed here and raised their children and ever since, my family has been here in Puerto Rico.
I was surprised when my mom told me about those girls beating her up. It is crazy what a person is capable of doing just because someone is different from them or does not speak their language. I believe that everyone is equal and that no matter their race, religion or beliefs they should be treated with respect.
What I learned about my heritage was interesting. I did not know my mom’s last name was Spanish or that some of my ancestors emigrated from Spain to Puerto Rico. It was fun to find out about this!
Current Immigration News Article
Arizona Immigration Debate Checks into the Hospital
By April Girouard | February 16, 2011
Arizona is at the center of the national debate on immigration, and state legislators are drawing more fire this week for a proposal that would require hospital workers to check whether patients are in the country illegally.
The first of its kind in the country, the proposal would require hospital personnel to report illegal immigrants to federal officials. Emergency patients would be allowed to receive care before their immigration status is checked, but critics say the measure is cruel to immigrants who might avoid hospitals for fear of being deported.
"It's in the federal law that we are required to take emergencies and stabilize them. Nobody is going to turn these folks down, we agree with that," says Mesa Republican and Senate President Russell Pearce, who was also the primary sponsor of the controversial immigration law now tied up in federal court. "But I get calls from doctors and nurses every day that work in the emergency room, talking about the abuse, the millions of dollars spent for folks who come in for pregnancy tests, sniffles - they use emergency room services as their primary care," he says. "When do we stand up for the taxpayers?"
The bill was pulled from a scheduled Arizona Senate Judiciary committee hearing Monday after sponsors determined it wouldn't garner enough votes, but it is expected to resurface in another committee at a later date.
And detractors of the bill say that if it is successful, it could not only endanger illegal immigrants, but also their communities.
"I know that people will not come in," says George Pauk, a retired doctor with the Arizona Coalition for a State and National Health Program of emergency room patients. "They will stay away, and people with communicable diseases that affect us all may even stay away and be out there," he said.
What's more, says Pauk, the bill would "criminalize" health workers who do not perform immigration checks.
"There is no criminalization, he overstated it," counters Pearce. "It's outrageous that he makes those kinds of statements. Nobody is criminalizing it. It's already a criminal act to aid and abet illegals in this country. It's a federal felony."
He adds, "Quit inviting people over the border. We give them free stuff, free medical...enough is enough."
"We're fully in favor of police action, immigration action, and federal law governing immigration," Pauk says, but "It should not be state law."
http://politics.blogs.foxnews.com/2011/02/16/arizona-immigration-debate-checks-hospital
I think that it is kind of cruel and unfair to report illegal immigrants who just go to the hospital to receive medical help. They do not choose to get sick and if they knew they would be sent back if they went to the hospital they would probably not go and could die. But although it is unfair for them, it is also unfair for US citizens because they have to pay for medical care while illegal immigrants get it for free. This changes my perspective on illegal immigration because now I see why so many Americans want to stop this once and for all. Ilegal immigrants are taking advantage of the free stuff they receive.
By April Girouard | February 16, 2011
Arizona is at the center of the national debate on immigration, and state legislators are drawing more fire this week for a proposal that would require hospital workers to check whether patients are in the country illegally.
The first of its kind in the country, the proposal would require hospital personnel to report illegal immigrants to federal officials. Emergency patients would be allowed to receive care before their immigration status is checked, but critics say the measure is cruel to immigrants who might avoid hospitals for fear of being deported.
"It's in the federal law that we are required to take emergencies and stabilize them. Nobody is going to turn these folks down, we agree with that," says Mesa Republican and Senate President Russell Pearce, who was also the primary sponsor of the controversial immigration law now tied up in federal court. "But I get calls from doctors and nurses every day that work in the emergency room, talking about the abuse, the millions of dollars spent for folks who come in for pregnancy tests, sniffles - they use emergency room services as their primary care," he says. "When do we stand up for the taxpayers?"
The bill was pulled from a scheduled Arizona Senate Judiciary committee hearing Monday after sponsors determined it wouldn't garner enough votes, but it is expected to resurface in another committee at a later date.
And detractors of the bill say that if it is successful, it could not only endanger illegal immigrants, but also their communities.
"I know that people will not come in," says George Pauk, a retired doctor with the Arizona Coalition for a State and National Health Program of emergency room patients. "They will stay away, and people with communicable diseases that affect us all may even stay away and be out there," he said.
What's more, says Pauk, the bill would "criminalize" health workers who do not perform immigration checks.
"There is no criminalization, he overstated it," counters Pearce. "It's outrageous that he makes those kinds of statements. Nobody is criminalizing it. It's already a criminal act to aid and abet illegals in this country. It's a federal felony."
He adds, "Quit inviting people over the border. We give them free stuff, free medical...enough is enough."
"We're fully in favor of police action, immigration action, and federal law governing immigration," Pauk says, but "It should not be state law."
http://politics.blogs.foxnews.com/2011/02/16/arizona-immigration-debate-checks-hospital
I think that it is kind of cruel and unfair to report illegal immigrants who just go to the hospital to receive medical help. They do not choose to get sick and if they knew they would be sent back if they went to the hospital they would probably not go and could die. But although it is unfair for them, it is also unfair for US citizens because they have to pay for medical care while illegal immigrants get it for free. This changes my perspective on illegal immigration because now I see why so many Americans want to stop this once and for all. Ilegal immigrants are taking advantage of the free stuff they receive.
Diary of Alannah Moore
August 9, 1847
Today I saw my dad cry. I had never seen him like that; I had seen my mom but never him. I think it is because we did not get to eat. The potatoes keep growing rotten and since it there are not many left only the rich landlords get to have them. Our living conditions are horrible. My dad, mom, little sister and I sleep on the ground in a single room cabin with our pigs and chickens. It smells horribly bad and we have no windows or chimney, so imagine that. My dad works for a farmer and does not get paid much so that is the only thing he can afford. I only wish we could get out of here!
August 12, 1847
In the neighborhood I heard some women talking about going someplace called the Americas. They said it was the land of opportunity and that everyone was moving there. I was surprised when I heard them and my hopes came up. I could imagine my family and me living in a house with a garden and a room with a bed to sleep in and no pigs or chickens around and without the bad smell…but that was not possible. We had no money to go. However, when I got home I got a big surprise; my mom and dad told Bridget and me that we were moving to the US. Our landlord promised my dad he would pay for our tickets and give us money, food and clothing for the trip. I felt excited but at the same time very scared. Excited because I can’t wait to get out of Ireland, but scared because I don’t know what to expect. I only hope it is much better than where we live now.
October 14, 1847
Today we finally arrived at the Saint Lawrence River. It has been two terrible months since we left home and the trip seemed as if it were never going to end. The ship is extremely overcrowded and many people here are sick. My mom has been very careful with Bridget and me; she doesn’t want us to catch any disease. She does not let us talk much with other passengers or share our stuff. I’ve heard that the ships were being inspected and people who were sick were being quarantined in an island called Grosse Isle, in which the hospitals were in even worst conditions and had become places to die. They did not have sufficient staff or beds to treat every patient. Many people have also died here and I’ve heard others talking about how they saw the bodies being thrown overboard, but thank God I have not seen it. My dad does not want us to experience something like that and therefore doesn’t let us go explore around alone. I just hope this ends soon and we can get out of this terrifying ship.
November 17, 1847
We have been in the US now for about one month and my dad still has not found the agent our landlord had said would wait for us with money for a fresh start. I think those were plain lies and that he just sent us here to get rid of us. My dad found a job building a railroad and he does not get paid much but it is the only job available. He is not allowed for any other job and a sign that says “No Irish Need Apply” is commonly seen in job advertisements. My mom takes care of my sister and me at home. We live in a small house but it is definitely better than the one in which we lived before. Still life is not perfect. We suffer a lot of discrimination especially my dad in his work. The other American workers feel superior to him and anything they don’t want to do they order him or other Irish like us to do it. If they don’t follow their rules they get beaten brutally with the same shovels they work with. My dad did once. He came home with his nose broken and several bruises in his body. We all cried when we saw him that way, but he told us not to worry and that it wouldn’t happen again. However, every time he leaves home to work I get very nervous and scared for his life. I admire and love him deeply because thanks to him and his sacrifices we have a better life!
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
Irish Immigration
Like many other immigrants, the Irish moved to the United States in search of a better, happier life. At first they immigrated because of poverty, religious prejudice and political subordination, but their major reason them became the great potato famine. The potatoes, which were their main food source, grew with poisonous fungus and could not be eaten. This lasted for about five years and left many families suffering from starvation. Thousands died, and those who survived only desired to escape from that horrible conditions.
The Irish started to immigrate to the U.S. for a relief. Since many of them lacked sufficient money, they found a cheaper way to get there. Instead of traveling directly to the U.S., the Irish would first take a trip to Canada. There they would buy fares they could afford to the states or walk across the border.
Most of the immigrants had very little or no resources to begin a new life when they arrived to the U.S. Luckily for them, there was new construction going on. The great canals and rails were being built, and the Irish laborers were the ones responsible for the creation of these. The Irish became well known policemen and firemen. They also made up many of the population's plumbers, steamfitters and boilermakers. Those working in industry were even lifted up into boss and straw-boss positions, but this obviously was after a lot of hard work. They also printed newspapers which contained interesting news and popular stories and poems.The immigrants that kept coming settled in existing Irish communities. There they followed their Catholic religion and kept their cultural traditions. The Americans respected their way of living.
Researching and learning about Irish immigration has made me realize how much they suffered to improve their living conditions. It is amazing what they went through to get to the U.S. and all they had was the hope of a better living and more opportunities. Their hard work was admirable! I think people should follow their example of never giving up on their dream to succeed.
For more information:
The Irish started to immigrate to the U.S. for a relief. Since many of them lacked sufficient money, they found a cheaper way to get there. Instead of traveling directly to the U.S., the Irish would first take a trip to Canada. There they would buy fares they could afford to the states or walk across the border.
Most of the immigrants had very little or no resources to begin a new life when they arrived to the U.S. Luckily for them, there was new construction going on. The great canals and rails were being built, and the Irish laborers were the ones responsible for the creation of these. The Irish became well known policemen and firemen. They also made up many of the population's plumbers, steamfitters and boilermakers. Those working in industry were even lifted up into boss and straw-boss positions, but this obviously was after a lot of hard work. They also printed newspapers which contained interesting news and popular stories and poems.The immigrants that kept coming settled in existing Irish communities. There they followed their Catholic religion and kept their cultural traditions. The Americans respected their way of living.
Researching and learning about Irish immigration has made me realize how much they suffered to improve their living conditions. It is amazing what they went through to get to the U.S. and all they had was the hope of a better living and more opportunities. Their hard work was admirable! I think people should follow their example of never giving up on their dream to succeed.
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| Irish Immigrant Family in Canada |
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| Irish Immigrants Making Newspapers |
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| Irish Immigrants Arriving at Ellis Island |
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