The United States has long prided itself as a country where determination and hard work afford opportunities seldom seen elsewhere. And as America emerges from its economic downturn, it looks set to overhaul its long-fractured immigration policies.
"This is a unique moment in our history, especially the more recent history. We've evolved from a debate about border security first, and enforcement only, and self-deportation, to a debate where the American public is broadly supportive of this idea that we've got to do all of these pieces together if we're going to achieve a practical solution," said Marshall Fitz, the director of Washington-based think tank Immigration Policy at the Center for American Progress (CAP).
And indeed, a comprehensive immigration policy that balances security concerns with America’s identity as a bastion for those willing to work hard is high on the agenda for America’s politicians. A proposed reform package, soon to be voted on in the US Senate, would simultaneously increase America's border security, particularly along its southern border with Mexico where much of its illegal immigrants comes though, whilst revising the numbers of eligible immigrants from host countries, and perhaps most contentiously, offering a general amnesty for those who entered the US prior to December 31, 2011.
Bill's future is uncertain
The bill's future, however, is far from certain. Republican Senator Marco Rubio, one of the Senate bill's authors, warned last week that the legislation was unlikely to pass without tougher regulations on border security. Senate Democratic Majority Leader Harry Reid, meanwhile, said the bill would easily gain the 60 votes it needs to pass the Senate even if Senate Republicans, and some dissenting Democrats, attempt to filibuster the legislation. The clash is indicative of the uncertainty surrounding the bill’s future.
Even if the bill passes the senate, it will likely have greater difficulty to get through in the Republican-controlled House of Representatives. "[The House Republican leadership] wants to get this issue behind them. They know it's divisive within their own conference. They know that the extremists in their party that view this legislation as a battering ram have really created a bad brand for Republicans among minorities, and among Latinos," added Fitz, head of the Washington think tank.
It is those extremists who may derail this entire process, as they attempt to appear tough on America's immigration policy .
The great hope for this reform package is that it will mend a system that has long been broken, resulting in an unknown number of people being denied legal entry into the US, and do so in a way that addresses these problems long-term, according to Fitz. "No one wants to be back here ten years, fifteen years, twenty years, debating these same issues, because we haven't effectively solved the problem."
Is "American dream" still alive?
But while DC’s politicians continue to wrangle over the details behind the immigration bill, America’s immigrants continue to reach for, and live, "the American Dream."
With ranchera music softly playing in the background of Best Way Supermarket, Young Pak tends to her aisles of groceries and household items. Now the store’s owner, she is responsible for not only tending to her merchandise and employees, but the lives of her children as well. Life for Mrs. Pak was not always full of stocking shelves, and tending to registers. She was born in South Korea, and lived there until 1976 when she joined her husband on their voyage to the United States, and quickly doubled-down on her aspirations.
"I came to the United States with twenty dollars with me, so I was working hard. I was working two jobs. I saved money. After three years I bought a small grocery store. That's where I started. Then I bought another store, another store. I bought three stores in Pennsylvania."
But even as Mrs. Pak grew her business, she never lost sight of what was really important to her: providing a new and better life for her children. "Whenever you're working hard here, you get that back. My kids know I am working hard. They see me, and they're learning from us. They are working hard. They study. They are very successful." While one of her children is still attending college, Mrs. Pak's other children currently work on the Wall Street, and a national airport, respectively, all things she is incredibly proud of.
"American dream" is not for everyone
For others though, America offered a chance at education and employment opportunities that were not possible at home. But the desire to raise a family in a familiar culture and return home trumps other desires.
"We are planning to live here maybe another three or four years. Maybe up to five years, but when we have kids we are planning to move to Turkey," said Selim Sekerci, general manager of Cafe Angelico, a neighborhood pizzeria in DC’s Mount Pleasant neighborhood. Mr. Sekerci met his wife, an American citizen, shortly after graduating from university. It was through his wife that he was able to secure his green card, a form of work authorization. Still, the draw of home has not abated after eleven years in the states.
"I would say [I want to move back for] cultural reasons. My family lives there, of course, and I want my kids to grow up in Turkey. That's the main reason."
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