Immigration

Charlie Primas My name is Charlie and I’m an immigrant from Germany. I left my country because of the political freedom. I came here with a ship from Europe. It took me 3 weeks to arrive here in Harrisburg. I came here to live a better life and work on a farm as farmer. I dream to own a farm one day and earn a lot of money in this beautiful country. Harrisburg is the perfect place to start with a farm. The life here is way better than in Germany. I like to have political freedom which I have here. I can work as a farmer and make money. When I made enough money I will own a farm which is my dream. I already found a wife which is great because I love American women. It’s not easy for me to be an immigrant. I live in a little farm house with my wife and work all day long on the farm. I get paid pretty well for an immigrant. It could be a little more but it’s enough to live. I will work hard to earn money for my family. I’m working on a farm, I have good food around me, that’s great because I love American food. How you can see it’s great over here. You should also come and live and work with me on the farm. We two could own a farm together and make money. Everything is better here. You have so much freedom and a chance to live a better life.



The Huddled Masses It is the tallest metal statue ever constructed, and, at the time it was completed, the tallest building in New York, 22 stories high. It stands 151 feet high and weighs 225 tons. The Statue of Liberty was a gift from French Republicans who wanted to advance their political cause: the replacement of the monarchy of Napoleon III with a republican system of government. Over time, the statue's symbolic meaning has been transformed. It was originally intended to express opposition and slavery. After the America's emergence as a world power after its defeat of Spain in the Spanish-American War of 1898, the statue became a symbol of American might.

The New Immigrants Irishmen, Poles, Italians, Czechs, Germans are the new Immigrants of the United States. European immigration to the United States greatly increased after the Civil War. Unlike earlier immigrants, who mainly came from northern and western Europe, the "new immigrants" came largely from southern and eastern Europe.

The Chinese Exclusion Act The Chinese Exclusion Act was the nation's first law to ban immigration by race or nationality. All Chinese people--except travelers, merchants, teachers, students, and those born in the United States--were barred from entering the country. Due to intense anti-Chinese discrimination, many merchants' families remained in China while husbands and fathers worked in the United States.

Contract Agreement During the 19th century, demand for manual laborers to build railroads, raise sugar on Pacific Islands, mine precious metals, construct irrigation canals, and perform other forms of heavy labor, grew. Particularly in tropical or semi-tropical regions, this demand for manual labor was met by indentured or contract workers. These laborers served under contracts of indenture which required them to work for a period of time.

Immigration Restriction Gradually during the late 19th and early 20th century, the United States imposed additional restrictions on immigration. In 1882, excluded people were likely to become public charges. During the 20th century, all advanced countries imposed restrictions on the entry of immigrants.

United State’s Changing Face Today, immigration to the United States is at its highest level since the early 20th century. As recently as the 1950s, two-thirds of all immigrants to the United States came from Europe or Canada. Today, more than 80 percent are Latin American or Asian. Work has always been the great magnet attracting migrants to the United States. Historically, immigrants tackled jobs that native-born Americans avoided, such as digging canals, building railroads, or working in steel mills and garment factories.