The melting pot

The American Dream, the hope for a better life in a new country, has attracted people from all over the world. Most of them leave their homeland because they are poor and have few opportunities. Some are forced to leave because of famines and civil war; others come for religious freedom.

2. The number of legal immigrants into the United States is controlled by the immigration quotas. These quotas are constantly changing. For example, in recent years, the number of Haitians allowed into the United States has increased by 5.2 percent. The quota for Mexicans has decreased by 19.3 percent.

3. Some immigrants enter the United States illegally; they cross the southern border from Mexico or stay after their visas run out. They live with the fear that they will be found and sent back to their country. Under the 1986 Immigration Act, a number of illegal immigrants have become legal refugees, because it is too dangerous for them to stay in their homeland.

4. Immigrants from many different countries have helped make the United States a land of ethnic diversity. Modern Americans value their ethnic and cultural identity, and practice their traditions openly. A typical American may be a mixture of several ethnic and religious backgrounds.

5. The present spirit of ethnic pride is quite different from the attitude that Americans had in the past. Before the late 1960s, immigrants were expected to become part of the mainstream of American culture – this was the idea of the melting pot. Society discourages immigrants from passing on their language and traditions to their children.

6. Recent immigrants now see a value in keeping their own language and cultural traditions, even after they have lived in the United States for a number of years. In states with a high percentage of immigrants who speak languages such as Spanish and Chinese, bilingual schooling is available; students can continue to study subjects in their own language while learning English.

7. After five years of residence in the United States, immigrants may apply to be naturalized and become American citizens. Every applicant must pass a test that shows that he or she can read and write English correctly, and knows about the history of the United States and its form of government, as well as general information about the country.

8. There is also a face-to-face interview with an immigration officer to make sure that the applicant can speak English and meets the requirements for citizenship. Applicants must also prove that they have not committed any crimes, and support the Constitution of the United States.

Notes:

1. The melting pot – “плавильный тигель”; США, особенно Нью-Йорк, как место, где иммигранты переплавлялись в единую американскую нацию.

2. The American Dream – “американская мечта”; представление о США как о стране, где каждый может разбогатеть и добиться успеха.

Дата добавления: 2015-08-17