IMMIGRATION NATION: IMMIGRANT BIAS AND THE NATURALIZATION EXPERIENCE

Abstract

Immigration is often used as an umbrella term to group all those who have moved to the United States into one stereotype. However, the experience of immigrating to the U.S. and going through the process of naturalization to become a citizen is unique to every individual person. Recent political rhetoric has heightened tensions around the conversation about immigration, and has brought out passionate opinions from both sides of the political divide. Immigrants’ experiences once they reach the U.S. are vastly different based on their home country, the political ties to that country, their language, religion, ethnicity, and wealth, among other factors. This project explores the biases that immigrants face and hopes to challenge the human disposition to dislike anything that is different from ourselves. Through this project I have interviewed experts who study immigration in areas of law and demography as well as those who work with students to navigate the intersection of immigration and higher education. I have also included the stories of five UA students, including myself, who have become naturalized citizens of the U.S. Each person’s experience is unique in ways that will continue to impact them for the rest of their lives.