Argument (Is the Public Charge Rule Fair?)

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Is the Proposed Public Charge Rule Fair?

If we look at immigrant families as a public charge and take away the minimum benefits that they are entitled to, we might be harming our own country’s economy and social balance. I came to the U.S. on March 03, 2006 with an immigrant visa and around two weeks after I was living here, I received my green-card. Next, we went and applied for social security number and meantime I also enrolled at school. I never knew there was a so-called public charge rule. I already entered the country with a legal status. All I knew was that my dad was a permanent resident married to an American woman for 16 years, my stepmother then. He had a good job and paid for all his expenses. He never told me we benefited from government because he never had. Soon I learned that there were people who were living totally dependent of the government, others partially and few needed assistances for food or housing only. I don’t mean to judge but I could see their lives weren’t easy. They needed these benefits in order to keep going. Although government says immigrant families are a public charge, family’s financial status should not be factor for immigrant status because in reality the immigrant’s families are contributing much more to the economy than taking from it.

In order to make the subject easier to digest here is a little bit of the background on what Public Charge means. Even though it is not so talked about Public charge is not something totally new it has been around for 100 years. And it is taken very seriously when admitting someone to U.S. “An individual who is likely at any time to become a public charge is inadmissible to the United States and ineligible to become a legal permanent resident. However, receiving public benefits does not automatically make an individual a public charge” (USCIS).

The Homeland Security Department is analyzing how likely immigrants who will be granted permanent residency are to be a public charge. They have a list of 5 negative points which are: Income below 125% of the federal poverty, no high school diploma, not being able speak English well or at all, not being employed or enrolled at school and being under the age of or over 61 and having an income below 125% of the federal poverty.  They are checking to see what percentage of immigrants fit into each category (Capps, Greenberg, Fix, and Zong).

For most part this proposed rule really serves as a judgement to immigrants. The new proposed rule is not even in effect yet, but it is setting a much higher standards than the one created 100 years back. This rule makes the immigrants feel less human by forcing them to give up on benefits that could improve their family’s well-being. The DHS has only proposed the new rule and yet it is pushing people to make decisions that will have a bad impact on their families psychological and physical health.

With the new rule proposed by the DHS there are all kinds of expectations to the immigrant families. Unfortunately, they are all negative. In addition, the president is trying to expand the rule, by saying that immigrants on government subsidized health insurance is also a public charge. Many immigrant families have American born children who have applied for them to become a permanent resident. If they are on MassHealth for example, they are in fear and because of that they’re cancelling health insurance, so they won’t be considered a burden now or in the near future. The whole situation hurts because patients in need of care won’t be getting necessary health care.

The most recent recipients of permanent residency or green-card had a least one negative point. However, it is unfair to say immigrants can’t be granted a green-card because their American born children are benefitting of a public service. Well it is not the case, but families are in so much fear that they are already taking their children off the WIC program for example. This program has helped infants and moms so long and it is now experiencing a drop rate of 2,000 people comparing to 2017 (Boston Globe).

It is said by ordinary people on the streets that if a person is not working and is living on the government benefits then this person should not be in the U.S. if this person is an immigrant. This point of view makes sense if you are not looking at whole picture. It is a process of give and take. Immigrants come to the U.S. willing to work hard and give all their best. A good example of how this new proposed rule will harm the economy is the letter that mayor Martin J. Walsh of Boston wrote to DHS. He expresses his deep concern about an analysis made in the city of Boston that shows the economy would be impacted by a labor and economic activity loss of $500 million yearly, not to mention the public health challenge that many households in the area will face. (Martin Walsh) Now it comes to getting the minimum help possible which most of the time is only health care. These immigrants can’t apply for benefits because they are in fear. “A 500,000 people in Massachusetts, including 160,000 children, the majority of whom are themselves U.S. citizens and not directly affected by this proposed ruling, could forgo receiving needed benefits even if they are eligible” (Wagman). Even though there are many immigrants benefiting from government, they are also retributing in other ways to the economy, by providing cheap labor and still paying their taxes. They keep the economical wheel rolling, by that I mean jobs are getting done, at a much lower price.

In conclusion ever since the public charge rule was created a 100 years ago by DHS it did not say immigrants could not have certain benefits like Medicaid, nutrition assistance, housing benefits and others. However, the president is pushing in for more benefits to be taken into consideration when analyzing public charge. If this proposed rule will become a law it is uncertain but if it does it certainly mean less workers, less jobs getting done on time and for sure whole lot of suffering family separation. For country that prides itself for being a country of all nations, this rule will regress what was accomplished over centuries.

 

USCIS Public Charge Fact Sheet, April 29, 2011

https://www.uscis.gov/news/fact-sheets/public-charge-fact-sheet

Loeb, Saul. “Trump’s ‘Public Charge’ Anti-Immigrant Proposal Is Cruel and Unusual – The Boston Globe.” BostonGlobe.com, The Boston Globe, 10 Dec. 2018,

www.bostonglobe.com/opinion/editorials/2018/12/10/trump-public-charge-anti-immigrant-proposal-cruel-and-unusual/ACZirF1RUKakrjVZW5U74O/story.html.

Capps, Randy, Mark Greenberg, Michael Fix, and Jie Zong. 2018. Gauging the Impact of DHS’Proposed Public-Charge Rule on U.S. Immigration. Washington, DC: Migration Policy Institute.

Nancy Wagman, November 14, 2018

http://www.massbudget.org/report_window.php?loc=A-Chilly-Reception-Proposed-Immigration-Rule.html#footnote6

Cover Letter

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Dear members of the Portfolio Committee,

 

After 10 years being of being just stay home mom I was now going back to school.

The first day of class was full of expectations. I thought I would not be able to write at college level but for my surprise I felt more comfortable at each writing. For sure a good guidance when writing a piece is key to a good finale. Going towards the end of the semester now I see how much I was able to improve my writing. I am now able to put my citations on the right place.  I was a little outdated when the semester began and just could not remember some rules in writing. I have to confess, I feel so proud of my pieces that I came to think of myself as possible future writer.

My first essay is the one I felt more comfortable writing. I tell one of the most important times of my life as married woman and mother. As I wrote about the details, I was able relive every moment and even if they were not easy ones, I enjoyed writing, because I knew the outcome was the best. I wanted to show the reader that a true miracles are possible and if there was any question about my story could prove it. I also took the opportunity to let the reader know a little about the difficulties an immigrant has to face in order to make a living in the USA.  

 

In writing the second essay I had so much fun. I was writing an ethnography about my little girl. The middle child. The one who makes me experiment 10 different feelings in one day with her strong attitude and yet sweet way of being. I really found out I can be a writer after this piece. And better yet, I realized I feel much comfortable writing nonfiction. Even though I wrote about my little girl  specifically I know I was able to demonstrate the reader how middle age children are in general. There are a few characteristics about them that seems to connect every single one.

 

My very last piece brings a mix of feelings to me. I am able to demonstrate how United States is a country made of immigrants. Since the very beginning people were immigrating here for many different reasons and even against their will. Nevertheless, as I was researching about it I could see how judgemental people are nowadays towards immigrants. However with the photo essay and the help of researches it is clear that This country is indeed made of a global population and there is no use trying to change it.

 

To conclude I would like to say that English 101 did more than teach me how to cite on my pieces or how to put the punctuation on the right spots. It also taught me how to be a thinker and trust myself. Even when I think the bridge is too long to cross, once I start walking I am certain I’ll reach the other side. Let English 102 come I am no frightened.

 

Truly yours

Luana Santos

 

Memoir

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When Faith in God proves its effects
There are many adversaries we had to face having my husband undocumented
in the family. It always meant that dad had to work twice as hard as other legal people
and get paid a lot less than they get paid. Often times we would have dinner without dad
around and most likely the kids would go to bed before he got home. He always had to
drive long distances to work. I was always waiting for him. I needed to talk to him and
share my worries about the process. Even though by faith I was assured everything
would be OK I still thought about it a lot. I knew my husband would get home tired
hungry and worst of all he would have worked hours overtime with no expectation for an
overtime payment. I had no other adult to talk to on the immigration situation and how it
was affecting me as far as the anxiety it was causing but no matter how tired he was
tough he would come in with a smile and greet me “ Peace of God, how was your day?”
His words of peace would help me ease out the anxiety and feel better. Our children
were still too young to digest the fact that their father might not come back to the United
States if immigration does not grant him unlawful provisional waiver.

One afternoon, my husband and I were deciding on our next big step. My
husband was then an undocumented immigrant married to a U.S citizen. We had been
married for 6 years and had 3 children and decided it was time to hire a lawyer to help
us out on my husband’s legalization, as we use to call the process. He helped us with
the first step which was simple. Next came the time to file the I 601 form that could grant
provisional unlawful presence waiver for my husband. That is the step to take when you
come to this country through the back doors like my husband did back in 2004. It was
now October and winter coming soon upon us. My husband came to me and said
“There will be a slow down on work now and we might have to hold the legalization” My
husband’s work in the construction field decreases drastically during winter and moving
forward with the process would require spending valuable winter money. We spoke on
the subject for while and I said “Maybe I should file this application myself”. The
application also involved writing a persuasive letter on how important it was for me and
my children that my husband was granted the right to stay and proceed with his
legalization. One of those nights after he came home we discussed about the
legalization process and as christians we decided to go to church and see what God
had to say about how we would proceed. Whether I would write the letter myself or just
leave to the attorney.

We went to next service on the Sunday that weekend. At the church we attend
there is no specific person assigned for predicating. It could be any member man who
felt that God had revealed the word to him. That Sunday morning we entered our car on
the way to church feeling virtuous and full of faith that God would speak to us through
the his word and help us make the decision. When we parked at church my husband
looked at me and said “baby God will speak to us” and I nodded in agreement. As I held
my daughters’ hands while entering the church it seemed like the church was brighter
that day and I could feel the presence of God. Service began as usual after praying and
singing hymns it was time for the word. My children sat next to me and as I looked at
them I felt an encouragement almost as a boost of faith to believe that day God would
speak to us and guide us on the right way.
That day the same brother who was presiding had the word. However he did not
know we were looking for an answer from God. We could feel the presence of the lord
in him. The brother was gleaming and had the authority of God to speak his words. I
was in deep communion when the title was announced “let’s open our bibles on
Nehemiah chapter 2” As he read the text It talked about Nehemiah asking the king for
permission to go back to Judah and build it. It also talked about the letters Nehemiah
was going to need from the king and the king would have given to him. At that moment I
cried of joy and looked towards where my husband was sitting. I could see he was also
crying. After reading the passage the brother would exhort it. As if he had known he
would say “You are here today because you need an answer and God tells as he was

with Nehemiah he’ll be with you. Do not fear” “God is giving you the permission you
need to go where you need to go” That was the the answer to our petition. All the
waiting was over and all the fear was gone. From that moment on I felt as if I had been
given super powers and all I needed to do was open my heart and God would guide me
throughout the right way on the legalization process.
That Sunday afternoon our family was rejoicing before the lord. We prayed and
thanked him for being so precise in answering us. On that same day I told my husband
“I’ll begin writing the letter today” My husband tended to the children. He did not have
that much of time to be with them during the week so on weekends he made the time
worth a while. There was happiness all over us as I heard “ Go horsey, go horsey”
while my son was his dad’s back playing cowboy. My daughters were anxious around
them waiting for their turns on the horsey. My husband was laughing hard and knew he
was doing what was most important for him spending time with those he loved most and
making them happy because to him it didn’t matter how much time he spent with our
children, what mattered was the quality of time and of course how much fun they would
have. Our children were not sure about what was going on but clearly could see their
parents were happy. I remember telling them God is good and he will always take care
of us, while I sat on the couch with a pen and paper and started writing the letter by
telling the immigration department, why should my husband be granted his I 601
provisional unlawful presence waiver in order to come to the U.S. In few words I’ll say
here the message of the letter: “I believe my husband should be granted provisional
unlawful presence waiver because he is a good father. Even though he works extended
hours and being tired, he always makes some time for the family. He is a loving and
caring dad who would give up having his lunch if it meant he could finish his work earlier
and come home to be with his family”. I sat there and in a few minutes and I was able to
express all my truthful feelings on that letter and most important knowing that God had
already told us the application with the letter would be approved.

The following day I filled out the application and attached the letter I had written. I
also attached a few pictures of our family.It is part of the process the department of
immigration sets up an interview at american consulate in the country where a
beneficiary is from and in my husband’s case he needed to have the I 601 form
approved so he could come back. I looked to my children and thought “you’ll never have
to be away from daddy” Deep inside me I had that fear before we decided to ask God
what to do. We were much relieved because we did not have pay the attorney to do this
step of the process for us and winter savings would be untouched. Even knowing that it
is not an easy step and people usually don’t file I 601 application by themselves, we
were assured by our faith in God that he would take care of it from then on. A little less
than a month we received the approval letter and the date my husband had to be at the
interview overseas. Once again we were reassured of our faith.

Ethnography

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Luana Santos
Ms. Pappas English 101 November 30, 2018

The life of a middle child aged 6
All over the world in large families with 3 kids or more there is always a middle

child. Whether the middle of 5 or the middle of 3​. ​In a number of cases you’ll see the middle child syndrome kicking in. It is almost an unavoidable situation that middle children happen to go thru. However experts say there is a great possibility of not having your middle child suffer the effects of the syndrome “​If the parents are careful enough not to behave differently with each of their children and not to make any child feel neglected, then the middle child may not develop any such psychological problem” (Mahak Arora). Luckily for Ana I am just in between.

In Ana’s case, she is the middle child of 3. Ana is a sweet six year old, who loves to be called princess and sweet pea. She wears dresses for most occasions and she loves pink and purple. Of course for gym days at school she wears her nice gym pants, hair bands and most important, her favorite skechers, which, she says “these shoes make me run faster”​. ​As a middle child, Anna got used to wearing her sister’s hand me down clothes and shoes. She knows she is not the older and yet, she is also a big sister to her 4 year old brother. Anna does not accept the fact that her older sister is always ahead of her in school and knows a little more than she does in math and reading. For a 6 years old, Ana has a strong personality and know what she likes and does not like.

However, when it comes to her place in the birth line, she is not so confident sometimes. I the mom notice her being a little frustrated sometimes. She look at her younger brother and feel very proud to be the older sister and being able to help him out. Ana ties her brother’s shoes in her own particular way but when Ana’s big sister is around specially during homework time she does not accept that her sister knows more than her. Often times she says “ She’s only a little older, why does she knows more than me” and I explain with the best of my knowledge that, “This is the way it is, as we grow older we learn more and become more intelligent”.

Ana’s daily schedule is not very complicated. She gets up every morning, put on her uniform. I usually I pick up the uniform of the day always having a second option because she also has her pick and usually is the contrary of my choice or slightly different. For example if I picked a skirt Ana might insist she would like to put on her dress.This is her need for being in control very typical for her age. Then she’ll try to fix her hair, if that is not accomplished the way she likes by her own efforts she does ask for my help. Nevertheless she is usually very contented with her work and I must agree she does a very good job, she is very independent and proud to do the unexpected. The next important step of the day is breakfast. Ana takes it very seriously; she knows breakfast is important to keep her strong throughout the day. Then the middle child instincts kick in and she likes to say “I eat a whole boiled egg while my older sister only eats the white yolk” that gives her a feeling of doing what an older sister should do and off course she feels proud. Following, her sister answers “ I do not like the the yellow yolk” Ana answer back right a way “You should try it that is what mommy always says”

Next, she makes sure I fixed her snack and she double checks to see if she’s got her favorite. Lastly she puts her shoes on and bundles up in her coat, gloves and hat and off we go to school drop off.

The second part of Ana’s day is coming home from school. Right at the time she enters the car she greets me and says “mom I am hungry” and I say “I’ll fix you guys something to eat as soon as we get home” Ana then turns to her sister and says “Are we going to play doll house after homework” sister says “Sure, but today I’ll be the mom and you’ll be the daughter” and if we’re lucky, Ana agrees, which she does half of the time. But sometime she says “No, I am going to be the mom, you we’re the mom last time” As soon as we get home they eat and they go to table. They take out their homework packets from their bags and start to work. As they get started Ana calls me and ask for help”Mom can you read these directions for me”. She does not ask her sister and even if her sister reads to help her, she does not pay attention. Right before the homework time is over, we all get together and read a book as part of their activities. In addition to Ana’s day, she helps me set up the table together with her brother and sister. Most nights Ana initiates the prayer before dinner and her sister encourages her by saying “Go ahead little sis you know how to do it” That she likes the best she feels she really is taking the big sister’s role and she prays “Lord, thank you for this food, amem”.

Night comes and the final step of the day is get ready for bed. After the shower Ana brushes her teeth and goes to her room to play doll house or play with her stuffed animals. Ana shares her bedroom with her sister. The bedroom is pink because they

both decided that the sisters bedroom should as pink as it could be. Ana’s bed is on the left side and her sister’s bed on the right side of the room . Sweet pea Ana loves unicorns so she’s got a pretty unicorn comforter and a pillowcase to match. She has a few different toys that she plays but the ones she plays with mostly are her giant barbie doll, her littles dolls in the dollhouse and her honey badger stuffed animal, which she loves to hug and fall asleep with. Ana usually asks me what is her school schedule for the next day so I can pick her uniform and when she is having gym she knows she’ll wear her fast sneakers. Then pj’s on, night prayers, a story or two and a good night of sleep follows.

Over all Ana’s day is full of adventures it is hard to describe every moment in full details. However in a short summary her day and life would be described as of a princess growing in her palace. Mother and father are queen and king and her siblings are the prince and princess. As the middle child in the birth line, she knows she’ll be in reign one day so she wants to know a little more than she should. She wants more attention than she requires and she also wants to have a choice a little more than her age allows. The next queen to be is not quite ready to rule the kingdom but she’s got all the aspirations necessary to become successful when time comes. The life of a middle child can be confusing at times without knowing whether she is older or younger but for most of the time it seems to be very rewarding, Ana has the attention similar to the youngest and yet she is given the chance to show she is capable to accomplish what the oldest child does.

Work Cited

Arora, Mahaka. “Middle Child Syndrome: Symptoms, Characteristics & Prevention Tips.”FirstCry Parenting,​ Firstcry Parenting Community, 6 June 2018, parenting.firstcry.com/articles/middle-child-syndrome-signs-and-tips-to-prevent-it/.

Photo Essay

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Luana Santos

Ms.Pappas

English 101

December 7, 2018

 

The Mayflower. (R. S. Peale and J. A. Hill)

In a immigrant country it is not hard to see the diversity of people’s ethnic backgrounds. As we walk on the streets of Boston MA for example there is no doubt you’ll be able to see how mixed the ethnic backgrounds of the population is. What the U.S. is today is based in what began back in the 1620’s. The first immigrants were the British and Africans. Even though the Africans were brought involuntarily they we part of the first settlers of United States. The British came and negotiated with the Native Americans for land and began to settle as the time passed more immigrants from differents parts of England and other parts of Europe also came to populate North America (immigrationtounitedstates.org).

Late nineteenth century depiction of Peter Minuit negotiating with Algonquian Indians to purchase the island of Manhattan in 1626. (Francis R. Niglutsch)

As seen in this picture the British came and negotiated with the Native Americans for land and began to settle. As the time passed more immigrants from differents parts of England and other parts of Europe also came to populate North America. Back then the Native Americans were not familiarized with the jewelries and other artefacts that white man had so the British used those items as a form of payment for the land. After facing some hard times in their home country England and being forced to accept a change in the religion they were brought up knowing, they left full of hope and eager to achieve their success in life. They were brave men, women and children who came seeking for freedom of religion and a place where they could have a new start for their lives (History.com).

Immigration in the Mid-19th Century:

Women pulling sled loaded with provisions through the

muddy streets of Skagway, Alaska in 1898.

Photo courtesy of David Sundman

Another wave of European immigration began in the mid of the 19th century. Only this time, the immigrants were from Ireland and the reason for their coming was poverty and hunger. They were coming to a new land to have a better life and were willing to do whatever it took in order to have it. And so they became gold miners. In the 1800’s there was the great gold rush episode. The immigrants then were not only coming from poverty but they were eager to make a much better life out of the gold rush. They were willing to confront any situation but was not expected was women would play a huge role as miners. There were exceptional women who worked around the gold rush time. They showed that that being a miner was no tough job a woman could do. (History.com)  

President Coolidge signing the Johnson-Reed Act

Literacy Tests and “Asiatic Barred Zone”

The president signed the act in order to limit the immigration by requiring immigrants to be at least able to write and read in any language. According to the 1980 census there was a great number of immigrants that were illiterate making it harder to even learn

English. “The Immigration Act of 1924 limited the number of immigrants allowed entry into the United States through a national origins quota. The quota provided immigration visas to two percent of the total number of people of each nationality in the United States as of the 1890 national census. It completely excluded immigrants from Asia” (history.state.gov/milestones/1921-1936/immigration-act).

Recent South Asian Descendants

· by · in , , , , , South Asian

In this most recent picture we see a second generation of South Asian immigrants, from india to be more precise. Back in 1980’s the immigration of Asian and latin Americans was dominant averaging 735,000 and over 1 million a year in 1990 . There were immigrants coming from Japan and other parts of Asia like India. Part of them came to flee dictatorship governments and others to flee war. Overall they all came to begin a new life (Phillip).

Nowadays immigrants come for many different reasons. Between poverty, family reunion, seeking for a better life, running from violence, fleeing dictatorship or adventuring into a new begin. Provided that there are immigrants like me, who came without knowing really what the reason was. I was 17 and left my mother and brothers and the life was used to. Being a farm girl and living in a remote area I had not many expectations. However I wanted to be able to go to school and be someone as I used to say. I did not plan the coming I was told life would be better for me. I would be able to go school and so I said I’ll go and embraced this country culture as my own. Learned the language and taught it to my kids. This picture shows the modern immigrant family made of naturalized immigrants who are thriving to live the american dream and at the same time keeping the traditions of their country of root

 

 

History of Immigration to America

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In a immigrant country it is not hard to see the diversity of people’s ethnic backgrounds. As we walk on the streets of Boston MA for example there is no doubt you’ll be able to see how mixed the ethnic backgrounds of the population is. What the U.S. is today is based in what began back in the 1620’s. The first immigrants were the British and Africans. Even though the Africans were brought involuntarily they we part of the first settlers of United States. The British came and negotiated with the Native Americans for land and began to settle as the time passed more immigrants from differents parts of England and other parts of Europe also came to populate North America.

Late nineteenth century depiction of Peter Minuit negotiating with Algonquian Indians to purchase the island of Manhattan in 1626. (Francis R. Niglutsch)

History of immigration, 1620-1783

What the U.S. is today is based in what began back in 1607 in Virginia However it wasn’t until the 1620’s that was a large scale of immigrants settled in Plymouth, MA. were the British and Africans. Even though the Africans were brought involuntarily they we part of the first settlers of United States. As seen in this picture the British came and negotiated with the Native Americans for land and began to settle, as the time passed more immigrants from differents parts of England and other parts of Europe also came to populate North America. Back then the Native Americans were not familiarized with the jewelries and other artefacts that white man had so the British used those items as a form of payment for the land. After facing some hard times in their home country England and being forced to accept a change in the religion they were brought up knowing; they left full of hope and eager to achieve their success in life. They were brave men, women and children who came seeking for freedom of religion and a place where they could have a new start for their lives.

Immigration in the Mid-19th Century:

Another wave of european immigration began in the mid of the 19th century. Only this time The immigrants were from Ireland and the reason for their coming was poverty and hunger they were coming to a new land to have a better life and were willing to do whatever it took in order to have it. And so they became gold miners. In the 1800’s there was the great gold rush episode.

 

Immigration to the U.S. has never really stopped it did pause for while between 1920 and 1960. There was wave of immigrants coming after the world war II ended when veterans were returning home with their European wives. After 1965 there was a rise in the immigration, only this time the immigrants were not from Europe. They came from from Asia and Latin America. In this most recent picture we see a second generation of South Asian immigrants, from india to be more precise. Back in 1980’s the immigration of Asian and latin americans was dominant averaging 735,000 and over 1 million a year in 1990 . There were immigrants coming from Japan and other parts of Asia like India. Part of them came to flee dictatorship governments and others to flee war. Overall they all came to begin a new life.

 

Nowadays immigrants come for many different reasons. Between poverty, family reunion, seeking for a better life, running from violence, fleeing dictatorship or adventuring into a new begin. Provided that there are immigrants like who came without knowing really what the reason was. I was 17 and left my mother and brothers and the life was used to. Being a farm girl and living in a remote area I had not many expectations. However I wanted to be able to go to school and be someone as I used to say. I did not plan the coming I was told life would be better for me. I would be able to go school and so I said I’ll go and embraced this country culture as my own. Learned the language and taught it to my kids. This picture shows the modern immigrant family made of naturalized immigrants who are thriving to live the American dream and at the same time keeping the traditions of their country of root

 

Work Cited

“Immigration in the mid-19th century” 19 November 2018

https://www.history.com/topics/immigration/u-s-immigration-before-1965#&gid=ci0236a535900026b0&pid=ruthenian-ellis-island-immigrants-nypl-510d47da-dc92-a3d9-e040-e00a18064a99001g

Editors, “U.S. Immigration Before 1965” 29 October 2009,

https://www.history.com/topics/immigration/u-s-immigration-before-1965

Editors, “History of immigration” 18 November 2018

http://immigrationtounitedstates.org/548-history-of-immigration-1620-1783.html

Martin, Phillip. “Trends of Immigration to U.S.” PRB, 19 May 2014, www.prb.org/us-migration-trends/.

The life of a Middle Child age 5

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Luana Santos
Ms. Pappas English 101 November 30, 2018

The life of a middle child aged 6
All over the world in large families with 3 kids or more there is always a middle

child. Whether the middle of 5 or the middle of 3​. ​In a number of cases you’ll see the middle child syndrome kicking in. It is almost an unavoidable situation that middle children happen to go thru. However experts say there is a great possibility of not having your middle child suffer the effects of the syndrome “​If the parents are careful enough not to behave differently with each of their children and not to make any child feel neglected, then the middle child may not develop any such psychological problem” (Mahak Arora). Luckily for Ana I am just in between.

In Ana’s case, she is the middle child of 3. Ana is a sweet six year old, who loves to be called princess and sweet pea. She wears dresses for most occasions and she loves pink and purple. Of course for gym days at school she wears her nice gym pants, hair bands and most important, her favorite skechers, which, she says “these shoes make me run faster”​. ​As a middle child, Anna got used to wearing her sister’s hand me down clothes and shoes. She knows she is not the older and yet, she is also a big sister to her 4 year old brother. Anna does not accept the fact that her older sister is always ahead of her in school and knows a little more than she does in math and reading. For a 6 years old, Ana has a strong personality and know what she likes and does not like.

 

However, when it comes to her place in the birth line, she is not so confident sometimes. I the mom notice her being a little frustrated sometimes. She look at her younger brother and feel very proud to be the older sister and being able to help him out. Ana ties her brother’s shoes in her own particular way but when Ana’s big sister is around specially during homework time she does not accept that her sister knows more than her. Often times she says “ She’s only a little older, why does she knows more than me” and I explain with the best of my knowledge that, “This is the way it is, as we grow older we learn more and become more intelligent”.

Ana’s daily schedule is not very complicated. She gets up every morning, put on her uniform. I usually I pick up the uniform of the day always having a second option because she also has her pick and usually is the contrary of my choice or slightly different. For example if I picked a skirt Ana might insist she would like to put on her dress.This is her need for being in control very typical for her age. Then she’ll try to fix her hair, if that is not accomplished the way she likes by her own efforts she does ask for my help. Nevertheless she is usually very contented with her work and I must agree she does a very good job, she is very independent and proud to do the unexpected. The next important step of the day is breakfast. Ana takes it very seriously; she knows breakfast is important to keep her strong throughout the day. Then the middle child instincts kick in and she likes to say “I eat a whole boiled egg while my older sister only eats the white yolk” that gives her a feeling of doing what an older sister should do and off course she feels proud. Following, her sister answers “ I do not like the the yellow yolk” Ana answer back right a way “You should try it that is what mommy always says”

Next, she makes sure I fixed her snack and she double checks to see if she’s got her favorite. Lastly she puts her shoes on and bundles up in her coat, gloves and hat and off we go to school drop off.

The second part of Ana’s day is coming home from school. Right at the time she enters the car she greets me and says “mom I am hungry” and I say “I’ll fix you guys something to eat as soon as we get home” Ana then turns to her sister and says “Are we going to play doll house after homework” sister says “Sure, but today I’ll be the mom and you’ll be the daughter” and if we’re lucky, Ana agrees, which she does half of the time. But sometime she says “No, I am going to be the mom, you we’re the mom last time” As soon as we get home they eat and they go to table. They take out their homework packets from their bags and start to work. As they get started Ana calls me and ask for help”Mom can you read these directions for me”. She does not ask her sister and even if her sister reads to help her, she does not pay attention. Right before the homework time is over, we all get together and read a book as part of their activities. In addition to Ana’s day, she helps me set up the table together with her brother and sister. Most nights Ana initiates the prayer before dinner and her sister encourages her by saying “Go ahead little sis you know how to do it” That she likes the best she feels she really is taking the big sister’s role and she prays “Lord, thank you for this food, amem”.

Night comes and the final step of the day is get ready for bed. After the shower Ana brushes her teeth and goes to her room to play doll house or play with her stuffed animals. Ana shares her bedroom with her sister. The bedroom is pink because they

 

both decided that the sisters bedroom should as pink as it could be. Ana’s bed is on the left side and her sister’s bed on the right side of the room . Sweet pea Ana loves unicorns so she’s got a pretty unicorn comforter and a pillowcase to match. She has a few different toys that she plays but the ones she plays with mostly are her giant barbie doll, her littles dolls in the dollhouse and her honey badger stuffed animal, which she loves to hug and fall asleep with. Ana usually asks me what is her school schedule for the next day so I can pick her uniform and when she is having gym she knows she’ll wear her fast sneakers. Then pj’s on, night prayers, a story or two and a good night of sleep follows.

Over all Ana’s day is full of adventures it is hard to describe every moment in full details. However in a short summary her day and life would be described as of a princess growing in her palace. Mother and father are queen and king and her siblings are the prince and princess. As the middle child in the birth line, she knows she’ll be in reign one day so she wants to know a little more than she should. She wants more attention than she requires and she also wants to have a choice a little more than her age allows. The next queen to be is not quite ready to rule the kingdom but she’s got all the aspirations necessary to become successful when time comes. The life of a middle child can be confusing at times without knowing whether she is older or younger but for most of the time it seems to be very rewarding, Ana has the attention similar to the youngest and yet she is given the chance to show she is capable to accomplish what the oldest child does.

Work Cited

Arora, Mahaka. “Middle Child Syndrome: Symptoms, Characteristics & Prevention Tips.”FirstCry Parenting,​ Firstcry Parenting Community, 6 June 2018, parenting.firstcry.com/articles/middle-child-syndrome-signs-and-tips-to-prevent-it/.

Sources and Questions for Argument

luanasantos2018Leave a comment

What should be done about the separation of families at the border?

USA Today

Efrén Olivares, Aug. 28, 2018 | Updated Aug. 29, 2018

https://www.usatoday.com/story/opinion/policing/2018/08/28/government-owes-separated-immigrant-families-psychological-care/1114107002/

The Seattle Times

Are the separation of families humane to immigrants?

The Seatle Time Editorial Board, May 31, 2018

https://www.seattletimes.com/opinion/editorials/separating-immigrant-families-is-inhumane/

What is the separation of families doing to them psichologically?

Pacific Standard

Jack Herrera, Sep 18, 2018

https://psmag.com/news/trump-officials-claim-to-be-unaware-of-the-psychological-trauma-of-family-separation

Is the Public-Charge Rule fair on U.S. immigration?

https://www.migrationpolicy.org/research/impact-dhs-public-charge-rule-immigration

Ethnography (Rough Draft)

luanasantos20181 Comment

The life of a middle child aged 5

All over the world in large families with 3 kids or more there is always a middle child. Whether the middle of 5 or the middle of 3. In Ana’s case, she is the middle of 3. Anna is a sweet six year old who loves to be called princess and sweet pea. She wears dresses for most occasions and she loves pink and purple. Of course for gym days at school she wears her nice gym pants, hair bands and most important, her favorite skechers, which, she says “these shoes make me run faster”.

As a middle child, Anna got used to wearing her sister’s hand me down clothes and shoes. She knows she is not the older and yet, she is also a big sister to her 4 year old brother. Anna does not accept the fact that her older sister is always ahead of her in school and knows a little more than she does in math and reading. For a 6 year old Ana has a strong personality and know what she likes and does not like. However when it comes to her place in the birth line, she is not so confident sometimes. I the mom notice her being a little frustrated sometimes. She look at her younger brother and feel very proud to be the older sister and being able to help him out. Ana ties her brother’s shoes in her own particular way but when Ana’s big sister is around specially during homework she does not accept that her sister knows more than her. Often times she says “ She’s only a little older why does she knows more than me” and I explain with the best of my knowledge that, this is the way it is, as we grow older we learn more and become more intelligent.

Ana’s daily schedule is not very complicated. She gets up every morning, put on her uniform. Mom usually picks up the uniform of the day always having a second option because she also has her pick and usually is the contrary of mom’s choice or slightly different. For example if mom picked skirt Ana might insist she would like to put her dress.This is her need for being in control very typical for her age. Then she’ll try to fix her hair, if that is not accomplished the way she likes by her own efforts she does ask for mom’s help. Nevertheless she usually is very contempt with her work and I must agree she does a very good job, it is in her being independent and proud to do the unexpected. The next important step of the day is breakfast. Ana takes it very seriously; she knows breakfast is important to keep her strong throughout the day. Again the middles child instincts kick in and she likes to say “I eat a whole boiled egg while my older sister only eats the white yolk” that gives her a feeling of doing what an older sister should do and off course she feels proud. Next, she makes sure mom fixed her snack and she double checks to see if she is got her favorite. Lastly she puts her shoes on and bundles up in her coat, gloves and hat and off we go to school drop off.

The second part of Ana’s day is coming home from school. Right at the time she enters the car she greets me and says “mom I am hungry” on the way home Ana and her sister talk about what they’ll do after snack and home work. As soon as we get there she eats and they go to table take out their homework packs from their bags and start to work. As the middle child instinct kicks in And calls me and ask for help mom can you read these directions to me. She does not ask her sister and even if her sister reads to help her she does not pay attention. Right before the homework time is over we all get together and read a book as part of their activities. In addition to Ana’s day come helping mom set up the table together with her brother and sister. Most nights Ana initiates the prayer before dinner and her sister encourages her. That she likes the best she feels she really is taking the big sister’s role.

Night comes and the final step of the day is get ready for bed. After the shower Ana brushes her teeth and goes to her room to play doll house or something else. Ana usually asks mom what is her school schedule for the next day so mom can pick her uniform and when she is having gym she knows she’ll wear her fast sneakers. Then pj’s on night prayers a story or two and a good night of sleep follows.

Over all Ana’s day is full of adventures it is hard to describe every moment in full details. However in a short summary her day and life would described as of a princess growing in her palace. Mother and father are queen and king and her siblings are the prince and princess. As the middle child in the birth line Ana she knows she’ll one day be in charge so wants to know a little more than she should. She wants more attention than she requires and she also wants to be in charge a little more than her age allows. The next queen to be is not quite ready to rule the kingdom but she’s got all the aspirations necessary to become successful when time comes. The life of a middle child can be confusing at time with not knowing whether she is older or younger but for most of the time it seems to be very rewarding, she has the attention similar to the youngest and yet is given the chance to show she is capable to accomplish what the older child does.   

Final Draft (Distracted Parents)

luanasantos20181 Comment

 

The Dangers of Distracted Parenting

As a mother I have always worried about how the devices could affect my kids. I have always limited their screen time. A few of my friends say I exaggerate sometimes but I know I am only doing the best for them. After reading “The Dangers of Distracted Parenting” I came to realize how my use of devices can also affect my kids development and also emotional so I am glad I read it.

According to Doctor Victoria L. Dunckley article on the Psychology Today. Parents should fast from screen for a few days in order to be more effective on how time manage their kids screen usage. Dunckley says that the use of devices are not only bad for kids but they are also very harmful for the adults. The screen usage even if moderate can “cause a parent to become disorganized, exhibit poor impulse control, lack self-discipline and have trouble following through on goals including establishing healthy screen limits”(Dunckley, 1). Not to mention the other problems related to the use of devices that goes from our melatonin levels to physical health. The author emphasizes how important it is for the parents to stop the screen time all together helps rewind and start a new routine. This way it will help “You’ll model good screen habits, You’ll be more aware, Your executive functioning will be enhanced, You’ll be much more likely to follow through on what you said you would do”(Dunckley, 1).

In “The Dangers of Distracted Parenting” Erika Christakis argues about how parents are becoming so distracted with technology that they are forgetting the essential reason of spending time with their kids which is being with them physically and emotionally she says “Our society may be reaching peak criticism of digital devices”(Christakis,1).

Digital devices are creating a major problem worse than having kids obsessed with then “It involves kid’s development”(Christakis,2) because parents are not there paying attention to their children or being there emotionally for them. Without the parent and child engagement, the child’s development is at stake. Parents are placing their children in front of a screen not knowing that the contend they are being exposed to is actually “damaging their brains” “Today’s preschoolers spend more than four hours a day facing a screen” (Christakis, 3)

While some contents on kids tablets and phones are not as bad. They are still missing their time to explore the world around them and interact with other people. This certainly is taking away precious learning acquisition time from their lives. In the other hand the screen is also harming parents. They also miss precious time with their kids while having a split attention or as “technology expert Linda Stone more than 20 years ago called continuous partial attention” (Christakis, 3) according to Christakis “communication is the basis of most human learning”(Christakis, 3) and the devices are taking the learning process out of distracted parents and their kids.

If there were not so many devices around babies would be much smarter by school age. The author emphasizes how important it is for babies to learn by observing a human being in person rather than watching a video. Children’s vocabulary is build stronger when their parents have daily conversations with them “according to the Hirsh-Pasek, a professor at Temple University and senior fellow at Brookings Institution”(Christakis, 2)   

The distractions of our phones is breaking the communication between us and our kids causing more than physical wounds but also creating a gap between the child and parents relationship and also delaying the child’s cognitive development.

Through the research done in Boston in 2010 at fast food restaurants, researcher were able to observe how part of the parents used their phones and paid less attention to their children ignoring them and having little to no interactions to their children. In another research done in Philadelphia researcher showed how the parents use of cellphone impacts language learning. “The mothers were told to teach their children 2 new words” (Christakis, 4) They were also supposed to answer their phones. The mother who answered were not able to teach the new words.

Parents have always found some way to keep their children occupied either to have fun or run home errands. Keeping children occupied when we are with them is ok sometimes be aware easily because of distraction with their phones and not allowing kids to try thing on their oy from them even when physically there is outrageous. Nowadays parents are getting angry more often. With the changes in the education system there are more kids in school at a younger age which also give them less opportunities to explore the world and be spontaneous in the way act or talk.

Christakis says kids are made to catch their parents attention. However they’ll give up and with it the damage of not being an engaged parent is made.

Overall the author finalizes by saying that parents are also suffering with this technology problem and having to be their for everything and everyone. We all have our issues and are humans after all it is not easy to be on top of everything. However when we are with our kids we should refrain from using our phones.  

I strongly agree with Christakis when see says “When we are with our kids we should put the phone down” I have experienced similarly situations myself when with my kids. Even though I rather use the phone to do important things in regards to our family business rather than just be on facebook. However it still takes my attention and I do blame myself for missing some cute moments sometimes. For example the other day I had just picked up my son at school and were having a nice conversation when an insurance person whom I was expecting to call called me. The conversation between me and my well spoken 4 year old son got cut in the middle and he just silent himself when he noticed I was on the phone. That made me feel so bad I could not remember the subject and asked him and he just said “it’s all right mom”. I am going to follow the author’s advice and try not to use my phone at all when my kids be present.

In conclusion I couldn’t agree more and the source from Doctor Dunkley helps me support how this article has made an impact on me and at the same token I believe Christakis has reached her audience, parents, with this article; she was clear with her examples and made a strong point. No matter who we are with a lot a little to do when we are parents we have to interact with our kids directly not expecting a device will do our job we are responsible for our offsprings development and who they will be tomorrow is one hundred percent in our hands at their critical developmental time.

 

Works cited:

Parents

Hey Parents-Put down those devices

Victoria L. Dunckley

June 27, 2017

https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/mental-wealth/201706/hey-parents-put-down-those-device

The Atlantic

The Dangers of Distracted Parenting Erika Christakis

July/August 2018

https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2018/07/the-dangers-of-distracted-parenting/561752/