Italian Immigrants Essay -- Legal Issues, US Government

Immigration began late for the Italian population. With the main period of immigration coming in the late 19th century, Italians were already several steps behind the Irish, German, and French immigrants (Nelli 38). This proved to be detrimental to the Italians as the previous immigrants had already stitched themselves to the flag producing a resolute hatred for incoming immigrants, one of which was Salvatore Rossi. Having fled Italy in 1897 due to economic hardship, he pursued the â€Å"American Dream† in New York, by obtaining an education and landing an uncommon job within the U.S. Government. Italian immigrants in this period of time suffered extreme racial prejudice and experienced numerous obstacles in their process of immigration and assimilating themselves into society. In the end, Salvatore Rossi, unlike many Italian immigrants, stitched himself to the flag. Notable Italian immigration began in the 1900s. Missionaries were sent by the Catholic Church to console and convert the native population of America. The early immigrants were dispersed across the nation with large concentrations in the northeast (â€Å"America Put Under Microscopes† 2). Within these regions began the largest influx of Italian culture. Italian inspiration began the first Columbus Day celebration as well as the construction of the first Opera house in America. Italians in the early 19th century had a limited role in American culture however with the economic disparity of Italy in the mid-19th century, it swayed many to immigrate to the United States bringing along their way of life (â€Å"America Put Under Microscopes† 1). Born to a family of subsistence farmers, Salvatore Rossi fits the mold of the atypical southern Italian laborer. Heavy taxes had be... ... son of a subsistent Italian farmer, prejudiced by many, Salvatore cut himself free of the thresholds and chains of the typical Italian-American. Through determination, he came to America and educated himself bringing him into the modern world, thus assimilating himself into the American way of life. Salvatore had overcome the difficulties of the entire immigration process, beginning with leaving his family behind, trekking across the Atlantic, and starting a new life in America. Racial prejudice had also not overwhelmed Salvatore’s willpower as he continued to fight again the stereotypical mold of the free-riding Italian-American who offers nothing to American society. Although he paid the ultimate price of leaving behind his extended family and Italian way of life, Salvatore by becoming a U.S. Immigration Official, had stitched himself to the American flag.