Immigration the Building Blocks of America

Immigration the Building Blocks of America

To immigrate or not to immigrate is a question that seems to be discussed in many households around the world. Consequently, many countries in the Caribbean have complained that a positive response to this question have contributed to what is often described as a brain drain in which the brightest and the most talented of their citizens are often recruited to work in developed countries such as the United States of America. It is my option that this "brain drain" or movement of people have contributed to a better America. When one examines the migrant populous, it can be noted that they have brought to America cultural diversity which has permeated the society, they have sought and contributed to the educational system, and have contributed to the economic development of the American society in several different ways.

When we think of America we think of a culturally diverse place known around the world as the "melting pot". I join with former president of the United States, Jimmy Carter in describing America as "a beautiful mosaic; different people, different beliefs, different yearnings, different hopes, and different dreams." This is truly an accurate picture of the American Society. The cultural diversity of immigrants has created a society in which we are exposed to and can surely enjoy food from various countries, participate in various cultural extravaganzas, which include music and dance. Even the very clothes that we wear are influenced by the integration of the various cultures in the American society. Through this influence America is able to build trading partners around the world and to increase their income from foreign trade.

Along with the positives, this "melting pot" comes with many challenges. Many of these challenges have caused individuals to think that immigrants came to America to benefit themselves and that America must now contend with the burden of providing health care and other forms of aid for its migrant population. I on the other hand believe that when we allow immigrants to migrate to America we are conducting a social exchange. As we allow immigrants to live in America we are not only gaining workers to do odd jobs but we are gaining different cultural background and different values that can help better America as a whole. For example, different ethnic backgrounds like Asians train their families to work hard for good grades, strive for excellence and to put nothing but their best into everything that they do. This good quality of the American workforce could have been influenced by our dedicated hardworking Asians. Let's not forget that many of the foods we now enjoy are influenced by the migrant population. Imagine our American society without foods like Chinese, Mexican, Caribbean and Brazilian, where would we find variety? Diversity reminds me of a patchwork quilt where each stitch and each piece of fabric is important in creating the beautiful picture that the quilt portrays.

Our Educational system is also influenced by immigrants, many of whom came to America for a better life and to get a good education. On the other hand, the education system is also influenced by the educators who migrated to the United States of America with the intent to make a difference in the lives of the students that they teach. My mother who migrated to the United States as a teacher has taught