Nathanael Lee

June 16, 2010

The American Dream

            It is clear in many stories presented in the anthology, titled Imagining America: Stories from the Promised Land, that “The American Dream” is what draws many immigrants to America. In Nicholasa Mohr’s “The English Lesson,” the teacher, Mrs. Hamma, a natural-born citizen, shows that she comes from immigrant roots and that her family had achieved the American dream, because at least one of their descendants has become educated and has earned a place in a better world. She states, “My grandparents came here from Germany as poor immigrants, working their way up.” (Mohr, 22.) Aldo Fabrizi, the Sicilian immigrant in the story, tells how he had troubles finding jobs in his home country, but he came to America and attains a job in a copper-wire factory and that he desires to become an American citizen. (Mohr, 26) Their stories are proof of the American Dream. This dream promises that because one has freedom in America; one is free to pursue the riches and happiness that are boundlessly available. Anyone can work their way away from being poor to become a rich businessman, successful doctor, etc. After reading various stories from the anthology, I began to wonder about the current state of the American Dream and what American lawmakers were doing to promote the benefits of legal citizenship.

            I began my search in the Houston Chronicle, but found searching difficult as much of the news they print is of the trials and issues of illegal immigrants, with little to do with legal immigrants, the path to citizenship, or the pursuit of the American Dream. However, in my search, I came across an article patently titled, “DREAM Act Offers Right to Pursue American Dream.” In it, Meridith Baker talks about an act that is currently in Congress, which could help improve the lives of illegal immigrants in the United States. “In 2001, the Development, Relief, and Education of Alien Minors Act, co-written by the late Sen. Ted Kennedy, was introduced into Congress to address this issue. If passed, the DREAM Act would allow undocumented students who have graduated from a U.S. high school a pathway to legal residence and citizenship after earning a college degree or serving two years in the U.S. military,” (Baker) Meridith Baker writes. It means that even prominent lawmakers are still concerned with enabling special case immigrants. These immigrants, even if they entered the country illegally, would be showing that they are more likely to be ideal citizens and model immigrants. Thus, they would promote the welfare of America and, in turn, America would respond favorably. She continues,

Surely, a bill that promotes and rewards military service and higher education by allowing undocumented students to pursue their dreams should be a safe and favorable ground in the gray area of immigration reform. It is fair. It allows kids who have finished high school and who have been in this country for more than five years a chance to give back to America by either serving in the U.S. military or contributing to the economy as an educated member of the work force. It encourages positive behavior. Undocumented students will have more incentive to stay in school and display “upright moral character” in order to obtain the legal pathway to citizenship[…] If passed, this law allows my fellow students to realize their dream. (Baker)

Now, it is clear that Baker feels that this act would be greatly beneficial to the United States and that some lawmakers feel the same. However, it isn’t known if enough of them would feel the same. Judging by the comments at the end of the internet article, it seems that many do not agree with the sentiment.

            While reading on, I considered the impact of our government and its laws on illegal immigrants and came to an article about two individual families titled, “One Nation, Two Worlds.” In it, writers Elena Vega and Tony Freemantle discuss the trials and tribulations of Francisco and Liliana as well as Adriana and her partner. Francisco originally came to America, intending to stay here temporarily until they had enough money to live comfortably in Mexico. Suddenly, they found themselves with a child who was a legal citizen, 8 years into America, and the seductive American Dream within reach, but elusive. The writers state, “’We get to a point that we are neither from there nor from here,’ Liliana said. ‘If I would have in Mexico everything I have here, I would like to go back. Here is like being in a golden cage — one is a prisoner, but it is much more comfortable. If I will have all these comforts in Mexico, I would be the happiest woman in the world.’" (Vega) It is precisely because of his lucrative job installing air-conditioning systems that Francisco stays. He began in America by making cheap plastic sacks, but worked his way into a better job and now dreams of owning a house and a small piece of land.

            Adriana, on the other hand, stays out of desperation. She has had numerous dead-end jobs and has had many setbacks, but now she seeks an American education, a likely lead into the American dream.

            In a Newsweek article by Alan Zarembo, the story of Ana is told. Ana came to the country illegally, through shady means. She hadn’t intended to stay long, only enough to pay off some outstanding debts in Mexico, including a smuggler’s fee, and get some space from a “soon-to-be ex-husband.” Six years later, she goes from being a laundrywoman and a maid to a successful broker for other illegal cleaning women. (Zarembo) She helps others achieve their American Dream as well! Her struggle embodies the theme of the American Dream and that she helps others do the same is a credit to her and the society that houses her.

            These stories tell me that the American Dream is still alive and well. Despite the government imposing severe restrictions, increasing the difficulty of crossing the border, and making it harder and harsher to be an illegal immigrant, they still continue to come and try to grab a piece of what they consider a path to happiness and success. If I were to continue this research, I would identify the trials and tribulations of legal immigrants and their attempts to get a piece of America’s pie. I might also try to specifically seek out information on Canadian immigrants in order to get another version of the story.

 Works Cited

Baker, Merideth. "DREAM Act Offers Right to Pursue American Dream." Houston Chronicle. 16 June 2010. Web. 17 June 2010. <http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/editorial/outlook/7055268.html>.

Brown, Wesley, and Amy Ling, eds. Imagining America: Stories from the Promised Land. New York: Persea, 2002. Print

Mohr, Nicholasa. "The English Lesson." Imagining America: Stories from the Promised Land. Brown, Wesley, and Amy Ling, eds. Land. New York: Persea, 2002. 21-34. Print

Vega, Elena, and Tony Freemantle. "One Nation, Two Worlds: Immigrants Struggle with Illegitimacy Illegal Status Not Always an Issue, but Stigma Still Felt." Houston Chronicle. 21 Feb. 2006. Web. 16 June 2010. <http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/metropolitan/3501997.html>.

Zarembo, Alan. "An American Dream." Newsweek 138.11 (2001): 24-26. Wilson Web. Web. 17 June 2010. <http://vnweb.hwwilsonweb.com/hww/jumpstart.jhtml?recid=0bc05f7a67b1790e06b813523bdf277f3aa6616e975709e3e21d1a84b6bb55735abd0eab108ad1f6&fmt=H>.