Becoming Americans

Immigrants face a number of challenges when they arrive in the U.S. Many know little or no English. Even those people who are well-educated are sometimes forced to work at jobs that do not pay well. They continue at these jobs until their English improves or until they can find something better. Sometimes, people are as poor in their new country as they were in their previous one.

Some immigrants face prejudice. Some people do not want them in the United States. Other immigrants have religious customs that are different from the ones in their new communities. This causes problems if their new neighbors do not understand these customs. Some new arrivals once lived in rural areas. Many have a hard time adjusting to city life in a new country.

Life in the United States is not always what newcomers expect. Many succeed in their new life right away. Some need help.

Hmong immigrants work at a farmers’ market in Minneapolis, Minnesota.