5 Big Questions About Immigration

Because it is! Every person living in the U.S. who isn’t Native American is either an immigrant or a descendant of one. Today, the U.S. is more diverse than ever. About 45 million people living here were born in other countries. 

Because it is! Every person living in the U.S. who isn’t Native American is either an immigrant or a descendant of one. Today, the U.S. is more diverse than ever. About 45 million people living here were born in other countries. 

Not exactly. Americans have struggled with what to think about newcomers since even before the U.S. was a country. In the 1750s, Benjamin Franklin, one of the nation’s founders, worried about the German immigrants who settled in the 13 Colonies. He wrote that they would “never adopt our language or customs.”

During the 1800s, huge waves of immigrants began to arrive—first from countries in Europe and later from Asia. Many dressed differently, spoke different languages, and practiced different religions than most Americans did. This alarmed many people, who feared that these newcomers would take their jobs, spread crime, and change American culture.

Not exactly. Americans have struggled with what to think about newcomers since even before the U.S. was a country. Benjamin Franklin was one of the nation’s founders. In the 1750s, he worried about the German immigrants who settled in the 13 Colonies. He wrote that they would “never adopt our language or customs.”

During the 1800s, huge waves of immigrants began to arrive. The first big groups of newcomers came from countries in Europe. Later, large numbers began to arrive from Asia. Many immigrants spoke different languages than most Americans did. Many also practiced different religions and dressed differently. This alarmed many Americans. They feared that these newcomers would take their jobs, spread crime, and change American culture.

In many ways, immigrants helped build the U.S., from railroads and bridges to subways and skyscrapers. Immigrant laborers on the nation’s farms and in its factories and mines helped the U.S. economy become the world’s biggest.

Today, about one in six workers in the U.S. were born in another country. They’re doctors, lawyers, and engineers—and work in every other field too. And some of the largest American companies—including Amazon, Apple, and Google—were started by immigrants or the children of immigrants. 

In many ways, immigrants helped build the U.S. They helped build railroads, bridges, subways, and skyscrapers. Immigrant laborers worked on the nation’s farms and in its factories and mines. They helped the U.S. economy become the world’s biggest.

Today, about one in six workers in the U.S. were born in another country. They’re doctors, lawyers, and engineers. They work in every other field too. And some of the largest American companies were started by immigrants or the children of immigrants. That includes Amazon, Apple, and Google.

1. What are some facts that support the idea that the U.S. is a nation of immigrants?

2. According to the article, why have some people been unwelcoming to immigrants?

3. How does the author show how most Americans feel about immigration today?

1. What are some facts that support the idea that the U.S. is a nation of immigrants?

2. According to the article, why have some people been unwelcoming to immigrants?

3. How does the author show how most Americans feel about immigration today?