se of the enormous social welfare programs and services costs, New York has enjoyed reduced crime rates and improved services at the same times its population has increased due to immigration. Most people who make this argument confuse legal immigrants with illegal immigrants.
Immigrants dramatically impact culture. In terms of dress, language, foods, and lifestyles, different cultures enrich our culture by increasing its rich ethnic history. Many also argue that more cultures provide for a greater intellectual pool that drives the economy and technological advance. However, in order for immigration to benefit the culture and in order for American ethnocentrism to avoid limiting ethnic expression, one expert feels the “immigration contract” must be kept. According to Professor Salins of Hunter College, neither ethnocentrism nor ethnic federalism will benefit American culture:
The middle-way is the ‘immigration contract’ that has long existed between American society and its newcomers. Its terms are a commitment to English as the national language, an acceptance of American values and ideals, and a dedication to the Protestant work ethnic. Immigrants who accept these terms are welcomed and allowed to maintain certain elements of their culture, such as food, dress, holidays, and religion. This arrangement promotes a vibrant ethnicity while protecting against balkanizing ethnocentrism.
In other words, our culture is only enriched if both newcomers and those already in America (most of the immigrants or descendants of immigrants) agree to assimilate through concessions and tolerance. The political sphere is another aspect of American culture on which immigration has a major impact. This impact is both positive and negative. It is positive in the sense that immigrants have won many rights and paved the way for major policy changes that provide them with similar benefits and rights as all Americans. However, many ...