My parents raised me with anecdotes about their lives in India, many with the goal of coming to America for economic opportunity and the chance to build their family. Growing up with parents that constantly praised the United States drilled in the idea that I was extremely fortunate to have been born here. However, I formed my own opinions about the country as I observed and had my own experiences, but I can acknowledge that I really am lucky to have the chance to grow up in the “Land of Liberty and Opportunity.”
That’s why it was a sharp contrast when I started hearing my parents complain about the actions of the people and government of the United States, but I think that’s becoming the reality for many immigrants in the country. The idealized view of America represented through the ideological “American Dream,” propagated around the world, is dying.
The definition of the Dream varies depending on who you talk to. For some it’s concrete steps that you must complete to be successful, like owning your own home. For others it’s simply the idea that if you work hard enough, you can accomplish anything. While the understanding may depend on personal interpretation, there’s no doubt that the Dream has been a source of inspiration for young people globally, though many–including myself– argue that the Dream doesn’t even exist. The glorified idea of economic and social mobility just doesn’t work sometimes, especially in a place where minorities are always at a disadvantage. Still, that doesn’t change the fact that immigrants, like my parents, who once considered the American Dream to be the ultimate goal, have faced the harsh reality: due to the actions of the U.S. Government, the Dream is fading.
In my opinion, the Trump Administration hasn’t been shy about the way they have relentlessly targeted minority communities. In his first week in office, President Donald Trump issued a series of orders that attacked the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) sector, terminating federal DEI positions, programs, grants, and more. The presence of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers have progressively increased in numbers and intensity throughout the country, especially in immigrant-heavy communities. Undocumented immigrants that come to this country following the Dream or escaping a hostile situation are now constantly having to be on edge and live in fear of returning to the circumstances they hoped to flee. These issues are known globally as well, either becoming the butt of a joke or a point of concern.
Additionally, there are new classifications on naturalization, affecting a huge portion of the population. Earlier this year, the Trump Administration tried passing an executive order to prevent children of individuals that immigrated to the U.S. from being considered citizens at birth, meaning that if my parents immigrated under these conditions, I would not be a citizen of the United States.
This attempt has faced much backlash because of the 14th Amendment, but it is still an idea they are working to implement.
So not only has the government disrespected immigrants, but also the very Constitution that this country is built upon. America has long depended and thrived on immigrants, and with the current administration ambushing the groups that have allowed the U.S. to grow to this point, I think the country is going downhill, almost to a point of no return. As government actions continue to intensify, I’m afraid for what the future will hold and what the new representation of the American Dream will be.
