For many Indians, internationalism and multiculturalism are not in the air without roots or anchorage. It can well be traced from their own multicultural composite tradition. It is that tradition of multiethnic understanding that the community and group leaders may seek to bring forth, not just as skilled immigrant professionals or entrepreneurs, but as an integral cultural vanguard of the multicultural American citizenry. There has been a remarkable growth in hate groups in the last six or seven years, and it seems anecdotally clear that the growth is driven by the immigration debate in this county. It seems like the hate increases when there is an immigration debate. This does not necessarily mean the debate has to stop; it means that immigrants have to take it upon themselves to be part of greater society so that they are viewed favorably. We Indian Americans must go beyond the intent of working and living in the United States.
We must become a part of the local fabric. If carefully done, I am optimistic that the future holds the key to equality and safety for all citizens. Immigrant Integration – A necessity we cannot afford to ignore Integration is the process by which immigrants become accepted into their host society, both as individuals and as groups. The definition of integration varies because the requirements for acceptance by a receiving society vary greatly from country to country. The responsibility for integration rests not only with the policies of the host government, but with many actors - immigrants themselves, institutions, and communities, to name a few. Most modern immigrants have deeply ingrained social and cultural attitudes; the relative ease of travel and communication enabled today’s immigrants to retain their ties to their countries of origin. This may reduce incentives to adapt to the American way of life.
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As I see it, the second generation is quite different in their outlook compared to the pioneering first wave. While it is important for them to hold onto their roots, it is equally important for them to be American at the same time. This is quite different from their parents’ generation where it was clearly defined, as India and America. The United States has a racially and ethnically diverse population. Many argue that assimilation is a key factor in progression within the USA, meaning people have to become part of the American ‘melting pot’, in which nationalities and racial groups fuse into one. I, on the other hand, believe it is ‘Integration,’ not ‘Assimilation’ that is important for the success of immigrant communities and America. Because I see assimilation as the process by which immigrants become indistinguishable within the dominant host society, eventually conforming to the existing cultural norms of society.
In contrast, integration involves adding to the existing culture, which in turn, transforms and enhances society. Thus assimilation is considered tantamount to a loss of culture, religion, and identity, and involves the expectation of conformity to the norms of the majority. That is why I see the hesitation on the part of new immigrants to come forward to be part of the larger society and America as a ‘Melting Pot’ for their economic success and a ‘Mosaic’ for Integration. We would function better as stew than as a sauce. While the public debate tends to focus disproportionately on questions of who, how many, and what kind of noncitizens should be admitted to the United States, I see immigrant integration as the true test of a successful American immigration system. Immigrants face numerous challenges and criticisms. It is difficult to get into another nation and settle. When they do, they face additional struggles: some to naturally be expected, while others could be due to the fact their inability to acquire new skills or their inability to conduct themselves properly in their new environment.
The main concerns are –
- Due to cultural differences, immigrants try to maintain some semblance of their own culture in their newly adopted country.
- Due to fears of xenophobia, immigrant communities form enclaves to deal with and help each other.
- Immigrants who try to be part of the mainstream are not viewed favorably by their own community or by the mainstream.
- Criticism of not integrating from the receiving society.
Unlike other traditional immigration countries, such as Canada, Australia, or the UK which had to take people from their colonies, the United States does not have a federally-driven immigrant integration policy or an agency responsible for making sure immigrants effectively become part of the U.S. society. Instead, its integration policies are limited and largely ad hoc, and often geared toward refugees, persecuted or migrant workers. Rather, the USA has institutions to protect immigrants that focus on discrimination and equal opportunity. For instance, Pennsylvania has the Human Relations Commission to address similar issues. But a sound integration policy will bring in more harmonious results. Integration has never really been a federal responsibility.
How many people get in and out, which groups are favored (relatives or entrepreneurs, artists or scientists, farm workers or software programmers), and how border security and refugee and asylum policies are determined and enforced, these are all decisions made at the federal level. While the federal government ponders over immigration to decide whether the present level of immigration is more than the country can bear or whether the nation needs future immigrant workers, technocrats, entrepreneurs, and families, American cities struggle with immigrant integration. American cities have been the gateway to immigrant communities because cities with sizable immigrants register better growth. They find it an economic imperative to attract immigrants. Rather than playing to fears or rejecting newcomers, many mayors and municipal leaders are coming up with strategies to integrate immigrants and refugees. Some cities with long-established immigrant gateways like Allentown PA, have been trying to accelerate integration processes by helping immigrants learn English, find employment, and become homeowners. However, because of the lack of a nationally driven integration policy, the mayors and municipal leaders often are faced with defusing tensions that arise when immigrants are in the midst of people who are unaccustomed to their presence. Thus, these cities try to create bridges between new arrivals and long-term residents for harmony. Since integration entails uncomfortable adjustments between new immigrants and host societies, the USA maintained that integration was synonymous with assimilation because it was thought that cultural differences might divide. Just as previous immigrants incorporated into mainstream American life, America thought new immigrants integrate automatically. Full integration into U.S. society and the economy does not happen automatically; it generally takes more than one generation.
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