The Discourse of Immigration

Historical discourses are perpetuated through the reinterpretation and reexamination of past events, along with the enduring influence of existing narratives on future perspectives. As society evolves, so do our thoughts and attitudes towards immigration. Some say that America is a country of immigrants, the “city upon a hill” beacon for mankind, though it’s been the argument for more than two centuries deciding who comes and or is denied. In the late 18th century, American figures like Benjamin Franklin and Thomas Jefferson expressed concerns about the impact of immigrants, a sentiment passed from generations before. immigrants were often portrayed as carriers of disease, advocates of socialism, and members of criminal organizations. For example, Franklin warned about the potential dangers of immigrants in 1751, and Jefferson worried about their influence on legislation.
Despite changing times, some individuals in each new generation continue to find reasons to oppose immigration to America. “—who, indeed, is an American or is fit to be one—to our contemporary controversies and ambivalence about immigration and its many related questions.”{Peter Schrag. (2010). Not Fit for Our Society:} This demonstrates how historical discourses are recycled and repeated, shaping contemporary views on immigration. As the writer shares his perspective as an immigrant child, he talks about the bias that he witnessed toward other immigrants
It depicts immigrants as outsiders who must adopt American culture and values rather than recognizing immigrants as individuals seeking to improve their lives. His narrative focused on the challenges immigrants face in being accepted as Americans and integrating into society.
Talking about his experience as an immigrant child entering America and his perspective on that period. “As a German-Jewish refugee from Hitler, I’m personally familiar with a slice of this story, having spent time on both sides of the nativism divide. In the late 1930s, my parents and I were on the short end of the nation’s immigration quotas. We narrowly escaped Nazi-occupied.
Europe in 1941” {Peter Schrag. (2010). Not Fit for Our Society:}
In conclusion, this introduction informs readers about the ongoing immigration battle and how it has been debated for over two centuries. Despite changing tactics and upgraded tools, arguments about immigration and fears about immigrants persist across generations. aiming to highlight the challenges immigrants face in being accepted as Americans and integrating into society. Today, techniques are not much different than in the past. Ultimately, it doesn’t matter what generation they come from or what policies are in place. There will always be an argument about immigration and the fear of what will become of them when they come.

Peter Schrag. (2010). Not Fit for Our Society: Immigration and Nativism in America. University of California Press.