Why are people so hard on immigrants when America was built on them?

Question

Everyone (with the exception of the Native Americans) were immigrants when we first came here, so why the discrimination against today's individuals that are just trying to make a better life for themselves like we once were?

Answer 1

fear of the unknown, and bigotry.

Answer 2

I have friends and family that had their ancestors come here as legal immigrants and were proud to work and learn the English language and have their children learn, too. They were not given any special hand outs, they had to do for themselves. Some had to have sponsors, people to stay with and sponsor them before they could come here. It was a really rough life and they worked hard at becoming Americans. They didn't come here expecting the Americans who were already here, to learn their language and have their language printed on all the products in stores, etc. Can you imagine how full the packages would be if all languages of every immigrant that came here were included? Have you noticed that almost all packages of goods of all kinds now have Spanish, along with the English? What does that tell you? What I'm trying to say is, if immigrants come to America they should become Americans, not just be who they are, living in America. If they want to be citizens, be American. If they want to be what they were, stay where they came from. I'm not saying they have to give up their heritage or customs but they should learn to at least speak our language. In the old days the immigrants were proud of the fact they learned to speak with the rest of Americans. Very proud. They did make a better life for themselves and their families. They made America great and believe me, they were paid very low wages, also. They were treated horribly. They didn't go around screaming discrimination either. And believe me, they WERE discriminated against. In many, many ways. Ok. I guess I should stop now.

Answer 3

You mistake discrimination of immigrants for resentment of someone who has came here illegally and wants to live off the backs of those who are here legally. There is nothing wrong or bad about someone who enters this country legally and try to make a better life for themselves by becoming an American but most illegal immigrants don't want to become Americans and they send 20 billion dollars a year out of the US to their true home.

Answer 4

What discrimination exactly are you talking about? I guess it depends on where you live- I'm from the bay area and I doubt there's a more diverse place in the country- honestly I don't see much discrimination on the basis of immigration- white people are in the minority over here. Plus, a lot of new immigrant groups like to keep themselves to themselves- their own markets, signs in their own language, etc. I don't think that there's anything wrong with that, but you can't really complain about discrimination if you refuse to assimilate. I dunno maybe I just don't know enough racists, but it seems to me that here anyway most people get the same shot.

On a more personal note, my mother's family has farmed the same plot of land in Pennysylvania for almost 300 years.....and I'm part Cherokee on my dad's side, so I say, as an American with a long history, Welcome!!!! Just don't touch my stuff... : )

Answer 5

this country was erected on the backs of immigrants. tor those that think the mexicans that work here are a drain on america. Who do you think will work in horrible conditions for less than miminum wages. they don't send the money to their country to take advantage of the tax system. they are sending it to their family that cannot survive on what they get there. Recently there was a big magilla about the mexicans in New orleans. with no water no food and no place to live. They were only ones that would do it. Knowing that if the water touchedyour skin it would kill them. Are they really taking job from people? no one else would come and do it. Why aren't the companies being audited wen they make the money but don't pay Income . taxes .

Answer 6

It may be human nature to try to hoard the wealth and prevent the sharing of it. Also, in hard times, anyone will tend to try to close the borders, keep immigration to a minimum, because there are less resources available. Americans must be perceiving shortages to come. Oddly enough, this tightening of the borders will result in more damage than good, since we will not have the labor necessary to accomplish things, we will have less commerce, due to less spending of money by the very same immigrants. The US or any other country will be poorer as a result of a more conservative immigration policy.

Answer 7

America was built with slave labor, the labor of indentured servants, again slavery, and paid for with immigrant money from Europe. America was built on discrimination so there is really no big difference. It is America's true colors. Regarding today's immigrants, what are the real reasons? Coming to America means you want to be an American and learn the language and culture. Do they truly want to be American or just rape our country financially?

Answer 8

America was not built by immigrants living in this country without legal citizenship. America was not created by people who were forging documents (such as drivers lic) and taking advantage of our nation's social services. Our founding fathers paid taxes, contributed to society, shaped and molded our communityies by providing a framework. The settlers from England DID intrude on land that was occupied by Native Americans and that will forever be an issue for some. But to compare English setllers to illegal immigrants is like comparing a Corvette to a mule.

Answer 9

It's not so much immigrants in general, but illegal immigrants... It's important to know who is in the country so we can keep our country safe. If here illegally, then they could break our laws without proper penalty, they could work and not pay taxes, or drive without a license or insurance.

Some illegal immigrants are people here to work without paying taxes or contributing to the community... they just work cheap and send the money back to where they came from.

Answer 10

All people are suspicious of others who are different. That's just human nature.

Immigrants could really do themselves a favor, however, by adapting to the prevailing culture they're moving to. It would help if they learned English, for starters.

Furthermore, there is a huge difference, in many peoples' minds, between an "immigrant" and an "illegal immigrant."

Answer 11

Because legal immigrants pay back with taxes, illegals work but they send must of it to there native countries. What they do is suck out welfare, food stamps and medicaid that they don't pay for in taxes. Oh because they're poor, no they're smart send it to there native countreis and show nothing here. It's time they started paying like everybody else or just go back to there country.