America: The Land of Opportunity

Abstract

Despite the relative social and economic success experienced by the previous immigrants, immigrants in the United States today face unique challenges and difficulties adjusting to the American way of life. This paper explores three possible explanations for these difficulties including: lack of political socialization, low levels of education, and failure to advance in economic status, which has resulted in downward assimilation for new immigrant groups. Without a doubt, these three problematic aspects are intertwined and the success of Americanization relies on these codependent aspects of immigration. Possible solutions to reverse this trends and implications for American public policy will be discussed.