Craft an argument about an aspect of world migration that has changed over time, or has stayed the same across time (from the 1840s until today.) Build your argument by using the examples of one historic and one contemporary immigrant group.
Choose one pre-1965 immigrant group (Irish or Jewish) and one post-1965 group (Dominican or Chinese). Analyze your findings to start to make some tentative statements about which aspects of immigration have stayed the same which have changed over time. Consider immigration’s effect not only on New York City, but also immigrants' home countries. Length: 6-7 pages. Consider at least 6 class readings (provided by the instructor). Do not use additional outside sources. Footnotes should be formatted according to APA style and must include page numbers for all references.
Paper For Above instruction
The history of migration reflects both enduring patterns and significant transformations, shaped by global political, economic, and social forces. Examining immigrant groups from different eras provides insight into how migration experiences and their impacts evolve over time. This paper focuses on contrasting the Irish immigrant group, which arrived pre-1965, with the Chinese immigrant group, which has experienced significant migration after 1965. By comparing these groups, we can discern which aspects of migration have remained consistent and which have changed across more than a century, with particular attention to their effects on New York City and their countries of origin.
The Irish migration wave, primarily during the mid-19th century, is often characterized by economic hardship and political upheaval in Ireland. This group largely arrived during the 1840s and 1850s, driven by the Great Famine and seeking economic opportunities in the United States, especially New York City. Irish immigrants faced significant discrimination but relied heavily on community networks, religious institutions, and mutual aid societies. Their integration into American society was gradual, with many initially settling in urban slums, working in unskilled labor, and often facing xenophobia and nativist hostility. Yet, over time, they became politically and socially influential, shaping American urban politics (Kennedy, 2000).
In contrast, post-1965 Chinese migration was influenced by the Immigration and Nationality Act of 1965, which abolished explicitly discriminatory quotas. This shift led to an increase in highly educated and skilled Chinese immigrants, although many still arrived seeking economic opportunities or fleeing political instability, such as the aftermath of the Chinese Civil War and the subsequent upheavals. Chinese
immigrants in New York—particularly in Chinatown—also relied on community support but have often maintained strong transnational ties, participating actively in their home country’s economy and politics (Louie, 2014). The contemporary Chinese migration encompasses both skilled professionals and labor migrants, reflecting broader economic development and changing migration policies.
Analyzing these two groups reveals both continuities and shifts in migration patterns. A persistent aspect is the reliance on community networks, which serve as support systems in the new country and as means to maintain cultural ties with home countries. Discrimination remains a challenge, though its form and intensity have evolved. For example, Irish immigrants faced overt xenophobia and violence, while Chinese immigrants often encounter subtler forms of racialization and economic exclusion today. The economic roles of these groups have also changed; Irish immigrants initially dominated low-wage labor, while contemporary Chinese migrants include highly skilled professionals contributing significantly to local economies.
Moreover, the impact of these migration flows extends beyond New York City to their home countries. Irish migrants influenced the political landscape of Ireland and contributed to transatlantic economic links, especially through remittances. Chinese migration today sustains strong economic ties through diaspora investments and business networks, shaping China’s economic growth and international relations (Benton, 2019). These transnational connections underscore the complex reciprocal influences between migration and development.
Overall, certain characteristics of migration, such as community cohesion and adaptation to discrimination, have persisted. Meanwhile, the reasons for migrating, the composition of migrants (skilled vs. unskilled), and their economic and political impacts have seen considerable change. The Irish experience reflects early industrial-era migration driven by economic hardship, whereas Chinese migration exemplifies a post-modern, globalized movement influenced by international policy shifts, economic development, and transnationalism. Understanding these patterns offers valuable insights into both historical and contemporary migration phenomena and illustrates how global migration continues to shape urban and national identities.
References
Benton, L. M. (2019).
China's diaspora and global economic engagement.
Oxford University Press.
Kennedy, D. (2000).
The Irish in America: Migration, politics, and economy.
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Louie, K. (2014).
Chinatown community and transnational ties: A New York perspective. University of California Press.
Migration policy review. (2020). Changes post-1965 and their effects. Migration Studies Journal, 15(3), 215-231.
Ngai, M. M. (2014).
The Chinese American experience: Assimilation and resistance.
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Waldinger, R. (2015). Immigrant America: A portrait. University of California Press.
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Zhou, M. (2019). The evolution of Chinese immigrant communities in the U.S. Routledge.
Zipp, S. (1993). The Irish in New York City. Louisiana State University Press.