Challenges They Faced
Even though immigrants did pass into the United States, they were not welcomed by most parties. American natives became hostile towards immigrants because they claimed that immigrants were “stealing their jobs” and “taking their land”. Natives of the United States began practicing what is known as “nativism”, or the practice of opposing immigration and “xenophobia” which translates directly to a fear of strangers (Fetzer, 2000 p.33). During the early 1800s to 1914, nativism stayed relatively low as Americans were not as concerned about the many immigrants entering into the country. In the 1920’s however, this attitude changed significantly as xenophobia exploded. Acts such as the Quota Acts of 1921 were made primarily to restrict the entry of European Jews into the United States.
Immigrants also faced challenges of the language barrier, and although it was difficult to do so, they had to learn the new language and customs in their new country. Learning the English language was considered the most important part in assimilating into America. It was important for immigrants to learn the English language so that they could find jobs, get access to health care and to eventually apply for citizenship. It is said that “language has often been cited as the principal initial barrier confronting recent immigrants, from the least educated peasants to the most educated professionals” (Portes, 1996 p.195).
Some immigrants also suffered mental health disorders in association with their significant life events. Their mental health disorders were mainly caused by the many changes they went through including losses, changes, conflicts and the hard demands that were required as a result of migrating. Oscar Handlin, who studied and wrote about the immigrants' struggle in his book Uprooted, stated that “immigrants lived in crisis because they were uprooted. In transplantation, while the old roots were sundered, before the new were established, the immigrants existed in extreme situation” (Portes, 1996 p.157). Although immigrants were very pleased to have been in a free country, they did face very hard problems as it was very difficult for them to assimilate in America.
Immigrants also faced challenges of the language barrier, and although it was difficult to do so, they had to learn the new language and customs in their new country. Learning the English language was considered the most important part in assimilating into America. It was important for immigrants to learn the English language so that they could find jobs, get access to health care and to eventually apply for citizenship. It is said that “language has often been cited as the principal initial barrier confronting recent immigrants, from the least educated peasants to the most educated professionals” (Portes, 1996 p.195).
Some immigrants also suffered mental health disorders in association with their significant life events. Their mental health disorders were mainly caused by the many changes they went through including losses, changes, conflicts and the hard demands that were required as a result of migrating. Oscar Handlin, who studied and wrote about the immigrants' struggle in his book Uprooted, stated that “immigrants lived in crisis because they were uprooted. In transplantation, while the old roots were sundered, before the new were established, the immigrants existed in extreme situation” (Portes, 1996 p.157). Although immigrants were very pleased to have been in a free country, they did face very hard problems as it was very difficult for them to assimilate in America.