Degree Type
Honors Capstone Project
Date of Submission
Spring 5-1-2008
Capstone Advisor
Dr. Seth N. Asumah
Honors Reader
Prof. John S. Nicholson
Capstone Major
International Relations
Capstone College
Citizenship and Public Affairs
Audio/Visual Component
no
Capstone Prize Winner
no
Won Capstone Funding
no
Honors Categories
Social Sciences
Subject Categories
International and Area Studies | Other International and Area Studies
Abstract
From the inception of this country, theUnited Statesgovernment has always declared this nation state as a land of immigrants. However, the impetus of immigration during the past three decades has created antipathy among Americans. These antipathy and xenophobic attitudes against immigrants have intensified especially since the events of September 11, 2001. The resentments, inter alia, have significantly influenced the way in which theUnited Statesgovernment facilitates and implements immigration policies.
In this research, I argue that regardless of definitional complexities and functional distinctions between refugees and voluntary immigrants with regard to benefits and legal protection underUnited Statespolicy and United Nations Conventions, the actual experiences of most immigrants and the hardships they face are very similar once they begin their sojourn in theUnited States. Furthermore, immigrant families' welfare in the American society has taken a back seat to strong border protection. I contend that this shift does not need to occur in order forAmerica's borders to be safe.
Through interviews with individual immigrant families, this research presents some of the problems immigrants face. These personal accounts as well as supporting evidence from some scholars in the field support the argument thatUnited States' policies regarding immigration need an overhaul. This action would enable immigrants to transition smoothly into the American society and decrease the percentage of immigrants who enter the welfare system.
Recommended Citation
Abubey, Faith S., "Internal Throes: Reexamining the Effect of U.S. Immigration Policy and Transitional Realities for Immigrant Families" (2008). Honors Capstone Projects - All. 546.
https://surface.syr.edu/honors_capstone/546
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 License.
