Becoming American

Why Immigration Is Good for Our Nation's Future

Fariborz Ghadar

• Publisher: Rowman & Littlefield
• Year: 2014
• Edition: 1
• eBook ISBN:
  9781442228955
• Topic: Politics & International Relations
• Subtopic: Civics & Citizenship
• Index: Politics & International Relations

For policy makers, business leaders, and American citizens, immigration reform is one of the defining issues of our time. In turns both personal and analytical, remaining factual and well-argued throughout, Fariborz Ghadar's Becoming American makes the case for common sense immigration policies and practices that will not only help strengthen America's economy and role as world leader, but will also help millions of prospective immigrants and their families start making more out of their lives today, and for generations to come. The author is an Iranian immigrant who fled his homeland decades ago in search of a more stable and successful future. Weaving his personal story into that of the millions of immigrants facing unnecessary hurdles at the global level, he demonstrates the need for our governments and leaders to make policy decisions intelligently – not just based on current circumstances – but with an eye toward a future brighter than our current state of dysfunction, uncertainty, and regrettable bigotry towards those with funny names. Based on our nation's undeniable history as a nation of immigrants, we cannot fail to address the impact that immigration will have on our future if we want to accurately plan for a thriving, diverse and better tomorrow. Becoming American understand helps readers not only the mindset of America's immigrant populations, but makes the case for America once more as a place for the world's hardest workers, loftiest dreamers, and most prosperous people.

Table of contents

• Contents
• Acknowledgments
• Chapter 1: Beyond the Numbers
• Chapter 2: Debunking the Myths
• Chapter 3: How Did I Get Here?
• Chapter 4: What It Takes to Uproot Yourself
• Chapter 5: How Did She Get Here: Margaret Ghadar
• Chapter 6: Why Do They Come?
• Chapter 7: How Did He Get Here: Zbigniew Brzezinski
• Chapter 8: Hard Work Makes for a Successful Career
• Chapter 9: How Did He Get Here: Salomon Garay
• Chapter 10: Paying It Forward to the U.S. Economy
• Chapter 11: How Did He Get Here: Yoon-shik Park
• Chapter 12: The Bimodal Nature of Immigrants
• Chapter 13: The Lure of Clusters
• Chapter 14: A Day in the Life
• Chapter 15: Prejudice Exists, But So What?
• Chapter 16: Sticking to Your Own May Work, But It’s Not Easy
• Chapter 17: Assimilation Is Critical
• Chapter 18: Next Generation, and the Next, and the Next
• Chapter 19: How Did She Get Here: Otessa Ghadar
• Chapter 20: Old Country Is Old
• Chapter 21: How Did He Get Here: Michel Amsalem
• Chapter 22: Can You Go Home Again?
• Chapter 23: Lessons for the Next Generation
• Chapter 24: Blueprints for Policymakers
• Chapter 25: Would I Do It Again?
• References
• About the Author