Political Science 355Reflection Paper: Assimilation in the United States Immigrants leave their countries in search of a better life and an improvement in their situation. There is no singular reason for immigration; the reasons range from better economic prospects to political security. In recent times, the number of immigrants living in the United States is estimated at 11 million. Those who immigrate are expected to contribute to the United States culturally, politically, and economically. However, full assimilation becomes difficult to achieve when the immigrant is transformed into the “other” by the host country. The interaction between the immigrant and the citizens of the host country varies depending on whether or not their introduction to the new country is seen as a loss or something positive. These different positions serve as a buffer for immigrants' desires, as they can advance or falter depending on how much their new situation allows them to advance. For this reason, the individual's likely success depends on the desire of the descendant community to welcome him. This acceptance or denial comes in the form of resources available to the “other.” If these outsiders are not given the tools with which to function adequately, they will likely find comfort in the specific ethnic networks that provide them with the means to survive. The distance between the newcomers and the natives fuels a sense of mistrust on both sides. However, the concern that the growing immigrant population could compromise America's national identity undermines our national reality. Historically, those who voluntarily immigrated to the United States have had a desire to become part of American society, crossing borders and seas... middle of paper... influenced. This correspondence leads to individual growth because it pushes our understanding. When we begin to see the individual as a person and not as an “other,” we can, as a country, become stronger. Despite our growing humanitarian stance on immigration reform, many Americans still insist on having English as our national language. While speaking the language would greatly reduce the distance seen in cities like Shelbyville, we must provide methods for language acquisition by working across difference. With the transition towards inclusiveness, an increasingly global perspective should also follow suit. Works Cited Portes, Alejandro and Ruben G. Rumbaut. Immigrant America: A Portrait. Np: University of California Press, 2006.Snyder, Kim A. Welcome to Shelbyville. DVD. 2009. , 2011.