Italian Immigration

The United States has been a place of refuge for many foreigners around the world. Since the beggining of time, many people have been immigrating to the United States in search for a better life. One of the groups that immigrated to the United States were the Italians.

One of the European groups that migrated the most to the United States were the Italians. Italians started migrating to the Unites States between 1876 to 1924. As years passed more and more Italians were beginning to arrive at the US; making the population increase. Many were the reasons why foreigners kept migrating. Italians started migrating in search for better opportunities,second chances, a better life. In the southern part of Italy people were very poor, they had to find a way to maintain their families. Also natural disasters destroyed their homes. The only was out was migrating to the United States.

Once Italians got the US, their jobs mainly consisted on low class jobs. They had to work their way up into good paying occupations. Most jobs at the begginning were shoe-shinning, sewer cleaning, etc. All the dirty work was done by them, hey somebody had to do it and they were in need. Even children had to put in an extra help and work as well. Italians were hard workers, so it was strange to see an Italian accept charity money, they even denied prostitution for money which back then was a big pay.

Not all Italians were from the same place. They each came from different part of Italy. Some came from Sicily, others from Naples as well as other places. When they each to got to the US they settle in differente ocations, all in their own little groups. The majority of Sicilians lived in New Orleans and Neapolitans resided in Minnesotta. They lived in many areas but their living conditions weren't the most hygienic. Italians were very filthy plus they were overcrowded and that didn't help at all.

Over the years, Italians progressed at everything; they're work level, they homestyles, and even their culture. Italians managed to to get better jobs such as construction workers, industrial workers...etc. 

For me, immigration is another word for risk. I think that because you never know what might happen, it's a risk worth taking because yes it does open oportunities but it might also close. Immigration was hard back then and sometime still is. Honestly I couldn't picture myself having to leave my loving home, where I grew up to go to a whole, new different place, another world because that is what it is, a strange place. Althouh I would look at it as a learning experience and learn new cultures, languages and ways of life. I would do it if it meant providing what's best for my family.   

Italians getting on board on their way of to the United States in 1907.