IndexHow did Chinese immigrants arrive in America? The Contribution of Chinese Immigrants The Hopes, Sacrifices, and Struggles of First Generation Chinese ImmigrantsTrump as an Obstacle to the American DreamConclusionWorks CitedAmerica is a country that was founded and built by immigrants. Diversity is the character of which we are proud of our country. It is known as a melting pot of different cultures and identities; or, at least, that's what we are led to believe. It brings to its shores people from all over the world who long for acceptance and a piece of the American dream to build a better life. However, since Trump entered the House, the images of acceptance and hope that drove so many people to come to the United States have been replaced by “get out” and “go back” signs. Immigration policies change so frequently and dramatically these days thanks to the president with the most unstable mental state; it seems the American dream is becoming increasingly unattainable, especially for Chinese immigrants. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay How Did Chinese Immigrants Get to America? Since the 19th century, immigrants from China have continually found their way to come and settle here in the United States of America. There are three major waves of Chinese immigration to the United States in the history of Chinese Americans. The very first Chinese came to the United States around 1815 for the Sino-American maritime trade, and the first wave began there. Only a handful of Chinese arrived at first, mostly as merchants and former sailors. Since then, Chinese have continued to come to the United States, and the number of people each year has been higher than the previous one. By 1880, there were more than 300,000 Chinese in the United States: a tenth of California's population at the time, mostly from Canton (Guangdong) province, who wanted to make their fortune during the California Gold Rush of 1849. second wave began during World War II. The Magnuson Act, also known as the Chinese Exclusion Repeal Act of 1943, was proposed by U.S. Representative (later Senator) Warren G. Magnuson of Washington and signed into law on December 17, 1943. This was primarily because China then became welcome ally in the United States. In the late 1960s and early and mid-1970s, Chinese immigration to the United States came almost exclusively from Hong Kong and Taiwan, creating the Hong Kong American and Taiwanese American subgroups. Immigration from mainland China was almost non-existent until 1977, when the PRC removed emigration restrictions that led to the immigration of college students and professionals. These recent groups of Chinese tended to cluster in suburban areas and avoid urban Chinatowns. The third wave began in the early 1980s and is still ongoing to this day. In addition to students and professionals, the third wave of recent immigrants consisted of undocumented aliens, who came to the United States in search of lower-status manual jobs. These aliens tend to concentrate in heavily urban areas, particularly in the New York and Los Angeles areas; and there is often very little contact between these Chinese and Chinese professionals with a higher level of education. Since the 1990s, the demographics of the Chinese-American community have shifted in favor of immigrants with roots in mainland China, rather than from Taiwan or Hong Kong. Until 2016, the primary class of admission for Chinese immigrants entering the United States is through immediate relatives ofUS citizens. Just over a third (30 456) of these immigrants managed to enter through this means. Since legislation in the United States is believed to favor this entry point. Furthermore, employment-based preferences are considered the third largest. This entry mode represents 23% of the total. The HB-1 visa is considered a primary entry point for Chinese immigrants. “Chinese immigrants now make up the largest group arriving in this country each year. The Census Bureau says China has replaced Mexico as the leading country of origin of legal immigrants to the United States since 2013.” Since China has become the second largest economy today, why do some people still try to come to America, no matter what? Because “many of the familiar clichés of the American idea and experience – the ever-increasing expectations (that tomorrow will be better than today), the entrepreneurial spirit, the sanctity of home, the seductiveness of wealth, the pressure to succeed , our perverse fascination with "hope" and "change", and the belief that "anything is possible", are all embedded in the Dream", and this is what many people in China believe. As Freud said: “We are made up of such that we can get intense pleasure only from the contrast, and only very little from the condition itself.” The Contributions of Chinese Immigrants Since the first wave of Chinese arrived in the United States, Chinese immigrants have made enormous contributions to help build America, generation after generation, “FOB” (“Fresh-off-the-boat”, referring to first generation immigrants) and “ABC” (“American-born-Chinese”, referring to American citizens born in the United States with Chinese ethnic origin). After the end of the gold rush in the 1860s, most of the immigrant workforce found work in the railroad industry. Chinese labor was integral to the construction of the First Transcontinental Railroad, which connected the eastern United States rail network with California on the Pacific coast. Construction began in 1863 at the terminal points of Omaha, Nebraska and Sacramento, California, and the two sections were joined and ceremonially completed on May 10, 1869, at the famous "golden peak" event at Promontory Summit, Utah. He created a nationwide mechanized transportation network that revolutionized the population and economy of the American West. This network made the caravans of previous decades obsolete, replacing them with a modern transportation system. The construction of the railroad required enormous labor in crossing plains and high mountains by the Union Pacific Railroad and the Central Pacific Railroad, the two federally supported private enterprises that built the line westward and eastward, respectively. Because there was a lack of white European construction workers, large numbers of Chinese workers were recruited from the silver mines in 1865, and later indentured workers from China. On May 10, 1869, Chinese employed by the Central Pacific Railroad laid the last tracks of the first transcontinental rail line. The Chinese contributed not only strength but also intelligence and skill. “The paper noted that the Chinese were especially skilled at lining roads and could 'draw a more precise line for a greater distance with the eye without assistance than most white men can do with the aid of tools. ' The Chinese supervisors, who spoke English, were "very intelligent men" and displayed "extensive knowledge of railway matters". Thousands of Chinese immigrants made this possible. After the first wave, more Chinese continued to immigrate to the United States during the second wavethe third wave; Chinese immigrants continued to make contributions to the United States; big or small, they all contribute to making the United States a great country. First generation immigrants especially, usually make the greatest sacrifices for their American dreams. Hopes, Sacrifices, and Struggles of First-Generation Chinese Immigrants The American dreams of Chinese Americans are just the same ones you have, but a harder version to achieve, especially for first-generation immigrants. Usually, first-generation Chinese immigrants are the most willing and motivated to make efforts and, often, sacrifice to achieve their American dreams. They believe in the right results of hard work, they believe in the power of education. They left their hometowns and everything behind to come here to believe in what is promised by the American dream “that dream of a land where life should be better, richer and fuller for every man”; they work hard to build a better life and provide the next generation with a better environment to grow up in and a better education to ensure a better future. This is their hope, they firmly believe in traditional American dreams. But the discrimination against them for being “FOB”, cultural differences, their knowledge of English and, in general, being Chinese is deeply rooted in mainstream society. On the other hand, the American dream appears to be particularly more difficult to achieve for first-generation Chinese immigrants, partly because the immigration process itself is already difficult enough. After understanding “How to get here” and “How to stay,” they still have to find answers to questions like “How to get settled and established” and “How to thrive.” They cling to the hope and belief to carry on all these struggles. Trump as obstacle to the American dream Although things have improved tremendously for Chinese immigrants since the Chinese Exclusion Act in the 19th century was repealed, now it appears to be another difficult time, and it's getting worse, all thanks to Donald Trump. It is no longer a secret to anyone that Donald Trump is very racist and anti-immigration. America's strict but once reasonable immigration policies have changed dramatically under Trump. Now, as a Chinese-American, individual history, background, or nationality makes no difference. If one looks Chinese, one will be inextricably linked to the People's Republic of China. And, as the American leadership has made so painfully clear, the Chinese are now considered potential enemies. For many people in the United States, the Chinese people are seen as synonymous with the Chinese government. It's an odd sentiment coming from a country where the public, media and other government officials contradict and do not openly disagree with official policy. And the trade war with China, started by Donald Trump, has worsened this complex situation. Along with the trade war, just recently Chinese students, scholars, and entrepreneurs in the United States have been targeted and treated unfairly. Even in China, nowadays, obtaining a visa to come to America has become much more difficult for ordinary Chinese than it used to be, regardless of the purpose of the visit. “Hatred and prejudice have now penetrated the mainstream. After all, when the president behaves this way, why should others show restraint?” Many people can't help but fear that the damage has already been done and will continue to resonate for years to come. Please note: this is just an example. Get a custom paper from our expert writers now. Get a Custom Essay Conclusion Although Chinese Americans have are, 2006.