Challenges Immigrants Face and the Resources That Help Them Adapt to a New Environment

Challenges Immigrants Face and the Resources That Help Them Adapt to a New Environment

Introduction

Understanding the history of immigration and migration allow us to better appreciate the world we live in today. Based on the current new reports and political ads, one might get the impression that immigration in the United States is out of control. However, if the historical context in considered, an individual can become to acknowledge the fact that the problems that seem so very emotional and critical in America today are the same as those that have been experienced throughout history by many countries throughout the world (Workpermit.com, 2013).

The Potential Challenges Faced by Immigrants

The aspects of migration and immigration provide that indispensable historical context. In the United States, for example, the problems related to immigration began as early as 1850, when the cities where many of the immigrants settled became overcrowded, public services were strained, and native - born citizens, who had once welcomed immigrants, began to complain based on various areas, such as the fact that they were taking up their jobs, and because they were willing to work for little money, were depressing wages. As a result of all these factors, the discrimination and prejudice against immigrants who had trouble adapting to the linguistic, cultural and social ways of America also increased to a great degree (US Citizenship and Immigration Services. 2013).

Problems Related to the Lower Level of Literacy among Immigrants

Definitions of literacy vary greatly, ranging from the ability to sign one's name (historical definitions) to being able to function in society and achieve one's goals (many current definitions). The definition of literacy constantly evolves as demands for skills in a technology-mediated society increase. Some definitions now include both visual literacy (ideas conveyed through video and still images) and digital literacy-the ability to understand information delivered through new technologies, such as the Internet. Yet, none of these common definitions speak to the ability to negotiate literacy across languages and the various dimensions of bilingualism and literacy. We are just now beginning to understand what it takes to communicate face to face in one language (the native language, also called L1 or the first language) while becoming literate in another (the language to be learned, known as L2 or the second language) (Take part.com, 2013).

According to literature, the limited language skills and minimal literacy are closely tied to poverty and a lack of economic mobility and social cohesion. Although this is true for the foreign born in any country, it is even more so for migrants and immigrants who have never been to school. The following taxonomy illustrates some of the distinctions among the immigrants based on the aspect of their education (Portes & Rumbaut, 2006);

Pre-literate

Coming from a language that has no history of reading and writing and literacy is not universally taught; having no access to literacy education and no concept that print carries ...