Immigration and America: A 249-Year-Old Love-Hate Relationship

this is my final project for English.

From the Irish and Italians of the 19th century to the Cubans and Mexicans of the modern era, immigration has always been the backbone of this great nation. However, the open arms that once greeted tens of thousands of immigrants at Ellis Island have turned to the cages and aggressiveness present on the southern border. This change marks the gradual decay of the relationship between America and immigrants. This pattern suggests that a country founded on openness towards immigrants seemingly forgets its promise when under duress and economic anxiety. Nowhere is that shift clearer than in the years following 9/11, when tragedy reshaped not only national security but national identity itself. Almost twenty-five years after the tragic events of September 11th, the same fear and moral panic experienced then still dictates policy and public perception, dividing communities and exposing the "American dream" as a myth, disguising a much darker and complex truth.
America can no longer allow fear to dictate who belongs; it must reform its immigration system to replace security paranoia with humane, evidence-based policy that honors its immigrant roots and rebuilds the promise of the American dream. This essay argues that restoring the nation’s founding ideals requires the United States to move beyond fear-based immigration policies and to adopt reforms that prioritize both security and compassion, recognizing immigrants as vital contributors to America’s social and economic strength.