Cultural Wage Differentials Among United States Immigrants

One ofthe most debated political and social issues in contemporary America is that of immigration. As a nation ofimmigrants and descendants ofimmigrants, the United States is grappling with the conflict over whether or not continued immigration will prove to be beneficial or detrimental to the economy and society. Immigration is an issue as old as the United States itself, yet it seems as though this generation of leaders is more determined than ever to make lasting changes in the policy concerning immigration. Some argue that a consistent inflow ofdiverse and talented human beings will advance the nation\u27s economy as it has in the past while others see immigration as a drain on resources and propose not only restricting immigration but also physically eliminating it by building walls and fences. While both sides ofthe debate have different facets that are appealing to the American public, there is a consistency that has developed between the two arguments. Successful immigrants are tolerated at a much greater level than immigrants who have difficulty integrating into American society. This project will attempt to take a modem snapshot ofthe ongoing process ofimmigration and cultural diversification within the specific economic context ofthe United States labor market. It will then examine the problem ofimmigrant adaptation into the American way oflife and explore which immigrants, if any, have an advantage when it comes to integrating into American society