Comments to Immigration Stories

Hosted by Raul Ramos y Sanchez [BIO]

I know that some people will probably disagree with my point of view and say that what I'm about to tell you is all my fault, but I am not interested in criticism. I am honestly speaking my mind and letting some negative emotions out. I have always been a law-abiding individual. I came here almost 10 years ago, and have been a good permanent resident, later citizen of the USA. I came from Eastern Europe. I thought that America would present a lot of opportunities for me, especially if I obtained a college degree. Well, I too feel deceived. I did obtain a bachelor's degree in management and marketing two and a half years ago, but that hasn't helped me a whole lot. I think that the opportunities with this degree are limited for me. I am not considering more education because it is no guarantee for anything. I have only been able to get jobs such as deli clerk, production worker, and eventually stocking store merchandise working very few hours. Yes, these don't pay very much and I shouldn't be doing them. I am not sure what employers think when I go to interviews for "entry-level" jobs in my field. Maybe, just maybe, my foreign name and my slight accent which cannot be changed could be the problem. Or it could be my lack of experience even though employers like to use the term "entry-level." I couldn't say because I don't know for sure. I try to be prepared for every interview as thoroughly as possible (I smile and try to be very persuasive and confident), I try to network with people, I try to apply to as many jobs as possible, and I try to look for work in other states. But all of this seems useless. I am sorry to say this, America, but I don't think that you have given me the opportunity that I deserve. My current plan is to return somewhere to Europe as soon as September or October of this year with my family. I think I may have some better prospects there. I don't think that I can afford to stay here much longer. Yes, I have had a frustrating experience. On the other hand, to those immigrants who succeeded in America, I wish you continuous success and happiness, but I don't think that this country is "for me" anymore. Thank you for letting me share my thoughts.

BM
Ohio
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COMMENTS...

There could be many factors that contribute to my inability to find anything decent. It may not necessarily be my origin. People who tell me things like "redouble your efforts" may mean well, but I don't think they completely understand my situation. I really think I have done everything I can to find a good job. All I am saying is that things that are happening to me (and many other people, of course) are not fair whether they happen to someone in their native land or their host country. This doesn't mean that I don't think I will succeed in the future. It just means that with the way things have been going, it may be time to try living somewhere else soon. A big advantage of my US citizenship is that I can always come back here should things become rough overseas.

BM
Ohio
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It is tough to find a decent job of any kind in California because mid-level jobs are very scarce, and in fact, my current job took me 2.5 years to find. I am a native-born Californian and in my late 40s. You should not feel bitter but redouble your efforts to find something decent. Californians are used to people from all over the world and we are not in the least put off by a "slight accent" of any kind. There were many more opportunities for middle-class people CA when I was young, but now there are a small number of jobs for very high-level wealthy people and vast numbers of burger-flipping McJobs. IMHO, this is because of the sustained flight of the native-born middle-class due to the massive illegal alien invasion which has completely transformed my homeland, and not for the better.

Mary
East Bay, California
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Thanks for all your comments and your understanding.

BM
Ohio
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I'm sorry to hear about your difficulty finding employment. The company that I work for has a broad range of people in high positions, many with accents. In fact, the CEO is from Europe. I hope that - if you decide to stick it out - that you find work.

Rich
Glendale, CA
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As an American whose ancestors arrived here in the 19th century, I empathize with your situation. I know my fore-fathers were made fun of for their speech, dress and customs, though because there was so much open land, and they were farmers, they were able to insulate themselves from some of the experiences you are suffering. I don't know if Americans have ever been as welcoming to immigrants as we'd like to think we are. It's part of our mythology. It seems like every wave of new immigrants, be it Germans, Dutch, Irish, Italians, Polish and now Mexicans, must suffer through discrimination before they are accepted into our melting pot. I'm sorry to hear it didn't work out for you in America, and I hope you find the opportunities you seek in your homeland.

Jean
San Diego, CA
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