Immigrant Experiences in Southern California

Immigrant Experiences in Southern California

Globalization is now increasingly evident in every major city around the world. The world has become greatly interconnected with the presence of efficient transport systems and favorable immigration laws have facilitated the movement of people the world over. The United States of America has experienced the greatest impact of the enhanced movement of people as people from nearly all major cultures and nations around the world immigrate to the nation in search of the “American Dream.” This is especially the case of Southern California where the region has grown to become a diverse community that is characterized by persons from different nationalities and cultural backgrounds. Statistics indicate that the state of California has the highest number of immigrants with more than 10 million immigrants residing in the state. Moreover, a greater percentage of the immigrants reside in the Southern regions of the state (Passel, and Paul, p.12). Immigration presents myriad implications to both the host citizens and the immigrants. One of the most pertinent issues that is associated with immigration is the nature of the experiences of the immigrants and specifically whether the immigrants get to feel at home in the new setting and whether the encounter racism or other hostile experiences that may render their stay uninhabitable. Owing to the large number of immigrants in the region and the lifestyles they lead, it is plausible to state that they are comfortable residing in the area and indeed feel at home despite the few negative aspects that would serve to render the place inhospitable.

Important to note at this point is that term “feeling at home” does not necessarily imply that the experiences and environment are replicated at the new destination but rather that the new destination offers an environment and experience that is comfortable and conducive to live in. the above point is mainly because there are those immigrants whose home countries are characterized by conflicts, poverty and other negative experiences while others are characterized by moderately positive experiences. One of the aspects that make immigrants to feel at home in Southern California is the protection of the fundamental rights. Immigrants residing in the region are free to observe to their distinctive religious practices. A tour of the major towns and cities in the region reveals that nearly every major religion in the world is well represented. There are various temples, mosques, churches, and synagogues, which are meant to cater for the distinctive religious needs of the residents (Peter, p.12). A significant percentage of the immigrant population is from the Middle East and Asia, who are known to have deep reverence for their distinctive religions and practices. Moreover, a view of the local urban centers reveals women adorning hijabs and other individuals freely wearing their religious and cultural clothes. Wearing religious and cultural clothes in foreign land serves as an indication that the environment is indeed conducive to settle and that the immigrant population does not feel threatened while observing their religious and cultural practices.

One website called “Me Immigration Story” (2017), attempts to document to experiences of immigrants living in America through personal accounts. The website is founded on a very insightful premise that states that statistics are not the best sources of the story of immigration as only the personal accounts do so. A review of the personal accounts of the immigrants narrating their experiences with specific focus on those residing in Southern California indicates that most have found the region to be hospitable. Moreover, the immigrants who have been threatened with deportation owing to a variety of legal reasons seem to dread the thought of leaving the region and going back home.

It is however, plausible to note that indeed there have been some aspects and incidents in Southern California. Taking a state such as Irvine as an illustration, there are various immigrants who have found it difficult to fit into the Irvine ideal. There appears to be some groups of longtime residents who resent the influx of immigrants in the area. On the other hand, although most of the immigrants are at first pleased with the environment such as the lack of trash, pollution and many foreign faces, the soon become self-conscious concerning their unique accents, which affect the manner in which the local community treats them. One Chinese immigrant states that the Chinese who are fluent in English tend to receive better treatment and faster service as opposed to those who lack fluency in English or have a heavy Chinese accent. In essence, most of the immigrants residing in the region identify the lack of proper English skills as a major impediment to settling in. Those who are not fluent in English end up feeling like outsiders (Do, 2017).

In conclusion, it is plausible to state that despite some of the challenges that plague immigrants living in Southern California, the overall experience and environment makes them feel at home. The region is highly accommodative of the distinctive religious and cultural practices and most of the personal accounts indicate that many would not desire to leave the place. However, fluency in English seems like a major impediment to settling in as those who are not fluent at times end up feeling like outsiders.