Abstract

This study explores the postulate studied in Aviva Chomsky’s “They Take our Jobs"! And 20 Other Myths about Immigration. It examines the assumptions and arguments that fuel the public discourse about U.S. immigration. As noted by Chomsky, those arguments are based on myths that should be deconstrued to better understand the rationale behind the anti-immigrant rhetoric which is reflected by stereotypes such as immigrants take American jobs, drain down wages, or represent a threat to the social order and national security. On the basis of these arguments and information drawn from diverse sources, we have shown how from a nation of immigrants, America has become a country where immigrants take American jobs. Thus, the idea of the nation of immigrants refers specifically to immigrants of European ancestry, in particular those from northwestern Europe. The latter, also known as the WASP, represent the American mainstream culture and their hegemony is widespread to the point of influencing other sectors where decision-making processes echo the legacy, the values and expectations of the white community. Starting from these arguments, it can be stated that Anglo-Saxonism is fundamentally based on the domination of other communities and the institutions and ideologies of the United States reflect this reality.

Highlights

  • The United States is commonly known as a nation of immigrants thanks to the different waves of immigrants who, as history suggests, have contributed to a particular set of abilities and traits that helped shape the American nation

  • What is interesting to mention here is that, even though the United States is historically known as a nation of immigrants, it defines itself as a white Anglo-Saxon country; in other words, a country with an English-oriented culture

  • Since immigrants are very often economic immigrants, there are assumptions or beliefs that sustain that they take American jobs, compete with the low skilled workers, and drive down wages, which Chomsky illustrates in her second myth

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Summary

Introduction

The United States is commonly known as a nation of immigrants thanks to the different waves of immigrants who, as history suggests, have contributed to a particular set of abilities and traits that helped shape the American nation. Today, owing to the global economic restructuring, the need for foreign workers and other diverse incentives, the flux of American immigration has widely increased to the point of becoming a confrontational issue both within and outside the country.

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