{"content":{"sharePage":{"page":0,"digests":[{"id":"22842251","dateCreated":"1271339058","smartDate":"Apr 15, 2010","userCreated":{"username":"dracine","url":"https:\/\/www.wikispaces.com\/user\/view\/dracine","imageUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikispaces.com\/user\/pic\/1221680039\/dracine-lg.jpg"},"monitored":false,"locked":false,"links":{"self":"https:\/\/americandreamliterature.wikispaces.com\/share\/view\/22842251"},"dateDigested":1531983170,"startDate":null,"sharedType":"discussion","title":"Kite Runner","description":"How has Amir learned from his experience in Kabul? Use last night's reading to support your ideas pages 292-320. Throughout his recovery in the hospital what does he share with us that will lead us to believe he has ended his curse?","replyPages":[{"page":0,"digests":[{"id":"22843963","body":"When Amir returned to Kabul it brought back many memories, some both good and bad. However during his trip in Kabul he learned more about himself, and that it was not too late for a redemption. Being in Kabul reminded Amir of the times he shared with Hassan, but also brought back the memory which has still haunted him to this day. Amir realized that he still had a chance to get rid of that curse. His mission in Kabul was to find Sohrab, Hassan's son and take care of him. The reader can really see Amir's development as a person when he stands up to Assef and fights him, because back when he was thriteen, or even twenty he most likely would not have done that, especially because Assef is in the Taliban.
\nIn the hospital Amir is laying there and is thinking about everything that has just happened to him. A ruptured spleen, broken teeth, punctured lung, and a busted eye socket. However Amir began to realize, "As I watched a pigeon peck a a bread crumb on the windowsill, I kept thinking of something else Armand\/Dr. Faruqi has said: The impact had cut you upper lip in two, he had said, clean down the middle. Clean down the middle. Like a harelip". I think that this makes Amir believe that he has ended the curse because of the pain he went through with Assef, he felt like he deserved it and when he finally got it, it felt good to him, almost like a relief. It served to him as a punishment. And he also got a hold of Sohrab, Hassan's son, and Amir feels like he is doing a good thing for Hassan by taking care of his son. Amir is trying to make it up to him in any way he can.","dateCreated":"1271340387","smartDate":"Apr 15, 2010","userCreated":{"username":"AHess18","url":"https:\/\/www.wikispaces.com\/user\/view\/AHess18","imageUrl":"https:\/\/ssl.wikicdn.com\/i\/user_none_lg.jpg"}},{"id":"22843981","body":"While Amir is in Kabul, he experiences many things that he has not seen before. When Amir is in Kabul he sees a lot of poverty and many people he has not seen before. The poverty is to an extreme with beggars around every corner most of them five or six years of age with their mothers. All the trees in the area are cut down and used for firewood because the poverty is so extreme. Little by little, Amir notices the differences from the times he used to live in Afghanistan to the present. After getting beat by Assef, Amir is rushed to the hospital where he is told what has happened to him. The doctor says to him, "The impact had cut your upper lip in two, he had said, clean down the middle. Clean down the middle. Like a harelip." (297) Amir knows that when he and Hassan were younger, Hassan got surgery done on his harelip. Amir finally got the punishment he deserved and wanted all along. While in the hospita, Amir sees many people with many injuries and eventually decides that he is going to leave the hospital. Amir makes a plan to say he is going for a walk down the hall then goes to the bank to get money, then takes a few days to recover after dropping the children off at the orphanage then plans to fly home. On his four hour ride home, Amir sleeps well and tells of the thoughts he was having as he dreamed. As he dreamed he thought of Soraya and the first time they kissed along with their wedding bells, going to the strawberry field with Baba and seeing Hassan's blood on the snow. After all this, Amir considers Rahim Khan's letter and realizes that there is a way to be good again like Rahim had told him all along. The curse finally seems to be over as he realizes that he does have a chance to be good again.","dateCreated":"1271340397","smartDate":"Apr 15, 2010","userCreated":{"username":"eedwardss","url":"https:\/\/www.wikispaces.com\/user\/view\/eedwardss","imageUrl":"https:\/\/ssl.wikicdn.com\/i\/user_none_lg.jpg"}},{"id":"22844207","body":"When Amir goes to Kabul to get Sohrab, his courage is tested. He has to decide whether rescuing Sohrab is worth the risk. Just entering Afghanistan puts his life in danger. The Taliban is at large, and since Amir and his family ran away, they could be seen as traitors. He has to go talk to a man that he saw violently and publicly stone two people to death. Then, he learns that this man is Assef, someone he was terrified of as a child and now, years later, is scared of even more. In the end, Amir realizes that Sohrab is worth it, and he faces his fears. This experience shows him that he can be the courageous man that his father wanted him to be. It also helps to relieve his guilt; just as Rahim Khan had said on the phone, "there is a way to be good again." When Amir is getting beaten by Assef, he is happy because this is the retribution he has been seeking, ever since that day when he begged Hassan to throw a pomegranate at him. The scene with Assef changes Amir for two reasons; he finally gets the punishment that he has needed, and he finally stands up for something important to him. He finally feels free from his curse. When he is in the hospital, he thinks about the story where his father fights the bear. His father had always been someone who defended himself and his friends. As a child, Amir was never like that, and was a constant disappointment to his father. But now, when Amir is visualizing his father and the bear, he realizes that he is the one fighting. This symbolizes a change in character that Amir has undergone. In the letter that Rahim Khan leaves for Amir, he explains that his father made a huge mistake when he fathered Hassan, but he always found ways to make up for it; feeding the poor on the streets, building the orphanage, and giving money to friends in need. Baba tried to redeem himself a little bit every day. Rahim Khan tells Amir "that, I believe, is what true redemption is, Amir jan, when guilt leads to good." As a child, Amir had done nothing to right things, but he realizes that risking his life to go to Afghanistan and rescue Sohrab is the first step towards redemption. Fighting with Assef left Amir with a scar on his upper lip, clean down the middle, just like Hassan's harelip. Amir is starting to atone for his sins, but the past will always be a part of him. Before, the past had haunted him; constant reminders of his mistakes followed him around. But after fighting Assef and taking Sohrab, the past is not a burden anymore.","dateCreated":"1271340526","smartDate":"Apr 15, 2010","userCreated":{"username":"maddieburg","url":"https:\/\/www.wikispaces.com\/user\/view\/maddieburg","imageUrl":"https:\/\/ssl.wikicdn.com\/i\/user_none_lg.jpg"}},{"id":"22844273","body":"Amir learns that Kabul has changed drastically. He used to remember Kabul as a great place to live with fresh fruit and vendors on the roads, but now all of that has gone away. The idea that Kabul is dead is shown prominently in the fact that all of the trees are cut down because of snipers and firewood. The tree that Amir and Hassan carved their names in no longer bears fruit. The violence and poverty that has erupted in Kabul is great as well. There are Taliban members driving around with guns and killing people throughout Kabul. There are also many people on the streets begging and bartering for money. Even a professor lost his job and is poor like everyone else. I think Amir learns that Kabul is not a suitable place for himself or Sohrab to live in. He realizes that he must honor his brother Hassan and do what is right, which is taking Sohrab back to America where they can have comfortable life.
\nWhen Amir is being beaten up by Assef he can not stop laughing. Amir describes the great pain he is feeling but also the relief and satisfaction he is getting from the beating. Amir feels as if the curse he got from being a coward and running away when Hassan needed him is being relieved now that he is standing up for Sohrab. Since Hassan's legacy is within Sohrab, it is like Amir is with Hassan all over again, and this time Amir is doing the right thing.","dateCreated":"1271340561","smartDate":"Apr 15, 2010","userCreated":{"username":"JohnM999","url":"https:\/\/www.wikispaces.com\/user\/view\/JohnM999","imageUrl":"https:\/\/ssl.wikicdn.com\/i\/user_none_lg.jpg"}},{"id":"22844319","body":"Amir has taken so many things with him from his experience in Kabul. He comes to realize why he and Baba had been on much better terms in the U.S. "Maybe that was why Baba and I had been on such better terms in the U.S, I wondered. Selling junk for petty cash, our menial jobs, our grimy apartment- the American version of a hut; maybe in America, when Baba looked at me, he saw a little bit of Hasan." (p.303).He learns that his father was not who he had so long envisioned him as, but rather, as Rahim Khan notes, "a tortured soul." (p.303) Baba had committed the only sin which he believed mattered, theft. Amir comes to learn that Baba had potentially gone against everything he had ever taught Amir as a young boy. Both Amir and his father had sinned and betrayed. However, Amir's father had found a way to create goodness out of his wrong doings, such as building an orphanage, and raising a son to the best of his ability. Yet looking back on his life, Amir questions what good he has done to redeem his sins. Other than becoming an insomniac, he realizes that he has not done much of anything to fix the wrong doings he committed in his life. Amir realizes he is in the process of fixing his wrong doings by saving Sohrab. He is extremely beat up and abused from Aseef, yet for once in his life, though externally and physically torn apart (literally), he feels internally healed.
\n
\nThroughout his stay at the hospital, Amir was able to spend much time with Sohrab. Although Sohrab did not speak much, if at all, the two distant relatives played cards often. In Chapter 24, Amir learns that the orphanage he was planning on dropping Sohrab off, was non existent. The possibility of bringing Sohrab back to the United States had become more and more clear as the chapter progresses. The terrible curse that Amir feels has ruled over him ever since he witnessed the raping of Hasan, seems to slowly but gradually residing. The injuries he endured; a wired jaw, cracked ribs, a ruptured spleen, seem to be his penance for his wrong doings. The chapter concludes with Rahim Khan on the phone, "telling (Amir) there was a way to be good again. A way to be good again..."","dateCreated":"1271340597","smartDate":"Apr 15, 2010","userCreated":{"username":"mhackett08","url":"https:\/\/www.wikispaces.com\/user\/view\/mhackett08","imageUrl":"https:\/\/ssl.wikicdn.com\/i\/user_none_lg.jpg"}},{"id":"22844395","body":"Amir's experience in Kabul has taught him to not only deal with specific problems, but also to go up against difficult challenges. He now lies in the hospital, badly hurt. He has stitches in his lip, under his chin, across his cheek, and right under his hairline. His eye look puffy and blue, while his lips are red and purple. He is in a ton of pain, but I also do not think he would trade it for the world. In the hospital he read the letter in which Rahim had sent to him. As he reads the letter, Rahim states that over all these years he and other had known about what happen ti Hassan. He says that his eyes depicted pain and sorrow. I believe that because Amir now knows that other people know about what had happened that night, and these people feel sorry for him that he will not allow this incident to play mind games with him any longer. I also believe that this curse is something in which he convinces himself that he has. It is as if Amir will no longer let instances in his past predict the outcome of his future. He has also learned that their are bigger and more intense problem in which need to be dealt with, like getting and maintaining Sorab. When Sorab left the hotel when Amir fell asleep, it was obvious that Amir related to Hassan. Stating that he did not want his blood on his hands as well. I think he is so overwhelmed by what happened to Hassan that he honestly needs something significant to happen to get over it.","dateCreated":"1271340647","smartDate":"Apr 15, 2010","userCreated":{"username":"jjwheels6","url":"https:\/\/www.wikispaces.com\/user\/view\/jjwheels6","imageUrl":"https:\/\/ssl.wikicdn.com\/i\/user_none_lg.jpg"}},{"id":"22844521","body":"Amir gets himself beat up by Assef and realizes that he was somewhat healed from the past. He learned about his mother from a man begging for money on the streets of his hometown, it was the missing puzzle that he was long seeking for. The experience in Kabul completed his missing parts of his childhood and after he has accomplished his goal in searching for Hassan's son, Sohrab. The whole trip he learned about how him and Hassan were really half brothers and also who he really was, he found fought his frights and fought off his bad experiences. He was injured and transported after rescuing Hassan's on. Rahim Khan's letter that he opened in the hospital played a very important role in the ending of the curse that he has always thought that followed him. Rahim explained about how he knew all along and that Amir was too hard on himself. and hoped Amir's "suffering comes to an end with this journey to Afghanistan" (300). for many years that Amir thought his father did not love him was because Baba always felt sorry for Hassan. In many ways Bada suffered guilt for a large part of his life, just like Amir did for a major part of his life. however. Rahim Khan's words "a way to be good again..."","dateCreated":"1271340718","smartDate":"Apr 15, 2010","userCreated":{"username":"chiehmeilee","url":"https:\/\/www.wikispaces.com\/user\/view\/chiehmeilee","imageUrl":"https:\/\/ssl.wikicdn.com\/i\/user_none_lg.jpg"}},{"id":"22844605","body":"First, I believe Amir feels relieved and understands that he has paid his debts towards Hassan. Against Assef, that time, he is the one who stand up and faced the adversity. He did not act as a coward. By acting thus, he really showed the importance he grants to Hassan and his son. Because of the injuries he suffered from the fight, he feels like him and Hassan are now equal, and that both suffered the same amount of pain. I believe the upper lip's injury he got during his fight is a symbol of this idea.
\n
\nAdditionally, the fact that he plays cards with Sohrab like he used to do with Hassan demonstrates Amir's acceptance of his past. It seems like he is now in peace with what happened earlier in his life, and he does not try to avoid it. Moreover, when Farid says: " For you a thousand times", Amir starts crying because he now really feels, without any deny, the strong bond he had with Hassan and their love for each other. Finally, when Amir talks with Sohrab about the relationship he had with his father, Amir does not deny the fact that he was not a good friend. He accepts his previous actions and plans on redeeming his wrong doings by providing friendship to Sohrab.","dateCreated":"1271340767","smartDate":"Apr 15, 2010","userCreated":{"username":"Thomas1992","url":"https:\/\/www.wikispaces.com\/user\/view\/Thomas1992","imageUrl":"https:\/\/ssl.wikicdn.com\/i\/user_none_lg.jpg"}},{"id":"22878805","body":"Amir has learned from his experience in Kabul that he does have the courage to stand up for what he believes is right. All throughout his life Amir has struggled to deal with the fact that he turned his back on his friend when he was needed most. Amir received a chance to try and account for this mistake and act differently this time around, which he does so valiantly. While in the hospital, Amir recalls the story of his father fighting the bear in the mountains; a tale told to display the courage, bravery and strength of his father. Amir now sees himself as his father, he has fought the bear now. He finally learned that he is not a coward, he does have the strength to fight back.
\n
\nAlso Amir learns that a dark past does not mean you have a dim future in front of you. He learns of his father\u2019s dark past, but also sees how brilliant of a man his father was. Although the good and charity Baba partook in was done had a penance for his sins, the deeds were nevertheless were still good. Amir can now see that this incident of his past does not have to prevent him from becoming a good person again.
\n
\nThroughout Amir\u2019s recovery in the hospital, it is clear that Amir now believes the curse has been lifted. He has finally taken the beating he has so desperately wanted to receive his whole life. A notable injury is the split lip that requires surgery to fix, leaving a scar that looks like he had a harelip, just like Hassan. This injury creates one more connection between Amir and Hassan, making it easier for Amir to feel as if he has finally made up for the past. He now feels as though through the beating and rescuing of Hassan\u2019s son, the curse has been lifted from him. This curse was placed on Amir by himself; he was always to hard on himself and was never able to forgive himself. He now has done that, and the letter from Rahim Khan only reinforces that in Amir\u2019s eyes. Rahim Khan, the man who told Amir there was a way to be good again, has now told him that he needs to move on with his life. Amir has done good again and atoned for both his transgressions as well as his fathers.","dateCreated":"1271376680","smartDate":"Apr 15, 2010","userCreated":{"username":"ckincheloe","url":"https:\/\/www.wikispaces.com\/user\/view\/ckincheloe","imageUrl":"https:\/\/ssl.wikicdn.com\/i\/user_none_lg.jpg"}},{"id":"22880341","body":"When Amir returns to Kabul, he sees that it has changed drastically since the last time he was there. Kabul is now an extremely dirty city and there are many more beggars on the street then there used to be. Amir describes the city as having rubble and beggars everywhere. The Beggars are mostly children now some of whom are no older than five or six years old. Hardly any of the children sit with an adult male because the fathers have died in the war. A haze of dust now hovers over the city, and, smoke rises to the ski across the river. Most of the tress that used to be in the city were cut down for firewood in the winter. Te Taliban has taken over the city and have killed many Hazaras including Hassan and his wife, Farzana. From this experience, Amir learns how fortunate he is that he lives in America and has a nice home, a wife, and a good job (writer). He realizes that he is lucky that his father was well off when he and his father lived in Kabul because he was able to get what he wanted when he wanted. He also realizes that he is lucky to have had a good education because most people in Kabul now probably can not get a good education.
\n
\nAmir also learns how much Hassan really cared about him. He realizes that Hassan did so much for him and he so little for Hassan. One day back when Amir and Hassan were little, Hassan threatened to shoot Assef in the eye with a rock using his slingshot if Assef did not stop bothering Amire. Amir realizes that he must now do something for Hasan because Hassan did so much for him and because of what he did to Hassan (Amir watched Hassan get raped and did nothing to stop it) So when Assef tells Amir that they must fight in order for Amir to be able to have Sohrab, Amir agrees. If Amir gets Sohrab, he can take Sohrab to a nice orphanage in America where no one will sexually abuse him like Assef does, and in doing so he will be doing something nice for Hassan.
\n
\nWhile in the hospital recovering from the injuries he sustained from the fight, Sohrab tells Amir that to Hassan, he (Amir) was \u201cthe best friend he ever had\u201d (306). Amir responds, \u201cI wasn\u2019t such a good friend, I\u2019m afraid\u201d (306). Amir continues saying to Sohab \u201cBut I\u2019d like to be your friend. I think I could be a good friend to you. Would that be all right? Would you like that?\u201d (306) Amir realizes that he is being a good friend to Hassan (even though Hassan is dead) by taking care of his (Hassan\u2019s) son and being a friend to him. Amir ends up trying to adopt Sohrab so Sohrab can live with him and Soroya. This shows that Amir really cares about Hassan, and wants to
\n
\nOne day Farid comes to visit Amir in the hospital and asks him (Amir) \u201cWhat happened in that house? What happened between you and the Talib?\u201d (298) Amir response \u201c Let\u2019s just say we both got what we deserved\u201d (298) Amir\u2019s response leads us to believe that he has ended his curse. Amir believes that the injuries he sustained as a result of his fight with Assef is his payment for watching Hassan get raped and not doing anything to stop it from happening. Thus Amir has now ended the curse.","dateCreated":"1271378516","smartDate":"Apr 15, 2010","userCreated":{"username":"olumia","url":"https:\/\/www.wikispaces.com\/user\/view\/olumia","imageUrl":"https:\/\/ssl.wikicdn.com\/i\/user_none_lg.jpg"}},{"id":"22882985","body":"In Kabul, nothing is as Amir remembers it. He feels extremely nostalgic seeing all the distorted places that used to be beautiful. Now he knows that he will not be able to go back to his fond and careless childhood lifestyle.
\nAmir learns that neither his father or him is a bad person. Both of them have "stolen the truth" from each other, but for complicated reasons. There were many times when Baba wanted to tell the truth; that he was Hassan's real father. However, by keeping it a secret, everybody was happy, and it would have been painful to everyone involved to let them know. When Amir reads Rahim Khan's letter, he is told not so hard on himself because he was just a by when he watched Hassan get raped. The most important lesson Amir learns is to forgive himself and others. At the hospital, Amir dreams that a man, who appears to be his dad, is wrestling a bear, but the man turns out to be himself. Amir's dream is a sign that his curse has ended because he is depicted as a strong person. Another sign of Amir's redeption is that he receives a scare on his lip, similarly to that of Hassan. Sohrab, Amir's nephew, reminds Amir of Hassan all the time. The way he looks, talks, and behaves. For the first time in his life Amir is willing to fight; fight for the custody of Sohrab. For example, when Amir meets with Omar, an immigration lawyer says to Amir, "I meant to tell you in there, about what you're trying to do, I think it's pretty great" (339). When other people despite Rahim Khan tells Amir he is a good person, he believes it. Also, when Amir goes to look for Sohrab, the owner of the hotel tells him, "I will drive you because I am a father like you" (315). This shows that Amir is finally willing to help Hassan, as should have all those years ago, through caring for his son.","dateCreated":"1271381660","smartDate":"Apr 15, 2010","userCreated":{"username":"kellygarrett1","url":"https:\/\/www.wikispaces.com\/user\/view\/kellygarrett1","imageUrl":"https:\/\/ssl.wikicdn.com\/i\/user_none_lg.jpg"}}],"more":0}]},{"id":"22217885","dateCreated":"1269955667","smartDate":"Mar 30, 2010","userCreated":{"username":"dracine","url":"https:\/\/www.wikispaces.com\/user\/view\/dracine","imageUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikispaces.com\/user\/pic\/1221680039\/dracine-lg.jpg"},"monitored":false,"locked":false,"links":{"self":"https:\/\/americandreamliterature.wikispaces.com\/share\/view\/22217885"},"dateDigested":1531983171,"startDate":null,"sharedType":"discussion","title":"Background on Afghanistan","description":"Please research information on Afghanistan:
\n
\n1. Years 1975-1985
\n2. Ethnic Tribes Shi'a and Sunni","replyPages":[{"page":0,"digests":[{"id":"22271067","body":"In the 1970's the increase of opposition to the social policies was brought to the attention of the Afghani government. Because of the strong opposition to this, in 1979 guerrilla opposition forces, more commonly known as mujahidins were fighting in different areas of the country against the Soviets. The outcome of this battle was the Afghanistan president resigned and was replaced by Mohammad Nahibullah. Also, the country was destroyed because of the huge economic loss. By 1992, Kabul was captured and the guerrilla alliances set up a new government which resulted in more fighting, and splitting Afghanistan into different independent zones.
\n
\nThe Shi'a and Sunnis are the two major denominations in Islam. 85% of the world's Muslims are Sunni and the remaining 15% are Shi'a, however the Shi'a's make up a great deal of the population in Iran, Iraq, Azerbaijan, and Bahrian. They are also the largest religious group in Lebanon. The Sunnis are a majority in other Muslim places such as South East Asia, China, South Asia, Africa,and the remainder of the Arab World.","dateCreated":"1270044473","smartDate":"Mar 31, 2010","userCreated":{"username":"AHess18","url":"https:\/\/www.wikispaces.com\/user\/view\/AHess18","imageUrl":"https:\/\/ssl.wikicdn.com\/i\/user_none_lg.jpg"}},{"id":"22271633","body":"In the late 1970s early 1980s the Soviet War in Afghanistan was going on. The Soviet War in Afghanistan was a ten-year conflict involving the Soviet Union, supporting the Marxist government of the Democratic Republic of Afghanistan. The mujahideen found other support from a variety of sources including the United States, United Kingdom, Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, Egypt and other Muslim nations through the context of the Cold War.
\nThe initial Soviet deployment of the 40th Army in Afghanistan began on December 24, 1979 under Soviet leader Leonid Brezhnev. Due to the interminable nature of the war, the conflict in Afghanistan has often been referred to as the Soviets' Vietnam. The analogy compares the conflict to America's role in the Vietnam War.
\n
\n
\n
\nSunni and Sh\u012b\u2018ah are the two major denominations of Islam. The demographic breakdown between the two groups is difficult to assess and varies by source, but a good approximation is that 85% of the world's Muslims are Sunni, and 15% are Sh\u012b\u2018\u012b, with most Sh\u012b\u2018\u012bs belonging to the Twelver and the rest divided between several other groups. Sh\u012b\u2018\u012bs make up the majority of the population in Iran, Iraq, Azerbaijan and Bahrain, and they are the biggest religious group in Lebanon. Sunnis are a large group in other Muslim communities in South East Asia, China, South Asia, Africa and the rest of the Arab world.","dateCreated":"1270045151","smartDate":"Mar 31, 2010","userCreated":{"username":"eedwardss","url":"https:\/\/www.wikispaces.com\/user\/view\/eedwardss","imageUrl":"https:\/\/ssl.wikicdn.com\/i\/user_none_lg.jpg"}},{"id":"22271709","body":" The Pashtuns are the dominant political and ethnic group in Afghanistan. The Pashtuns are historically the powerful ethnic group in government as they almost always had the positions of power. As a result, they believed their ethnic group to be superior and as a result other ethnic groups had to learn how to deal with them on Pashtun terms.
\n
\n The rival class of the Pashtuns is the lower class Hazaras. Hazaras are Shi'a Muslims, which serves as the main source of conflict between the two groups. Hazaras are ranked very low in ethnic status as many have immigrated to Kabul from the rural areas. Because of class divisions and being of the lower status, their ethnic identity as been kept strongly intact because their low standing prevented others from marrying them.
\n
\nThe primary reason for the division between the groups deals with religion. The difference stems from the death of the Prophet Muhammad and the question of who would take power after his death. Sunni Muslims agreed with most of the Prophet's companions that power should be given to someone who is most capable to lead. The Shi'a Muslims felt that when Muhammad died, leadership should have been given to his son-in-law and cousin, Ali.
\n
\nThe Sunni Muslims idea was the one carried out. As a result, Shi'a Muslims have not always recognized the authority of elected Muslim leaders, thus causing a major rift between the two sects.","dateCreated":"1270045258","smartDate":"Mar 31, 2010","userCreated":{"username":"ckincheloe","url":"https:\/\/www.wikispaces.com\/user\/view\/ckincheloe","imageUrl":"https:\/\/ssl.wikicdn.com\/i\/user_none_lg.jpg"}},{"id":"22271797","body":"Sunni and Shi'a are the two major denominations of Islam; Sunni is the majority. Hazaras are people of Mongol descent that inhabited the mountains of Afghanistan. For the most part, they are Shi'a muslims. As Emir, Abdur Rahman Khan wanted to bring the Hazaras under his control, and he did so with brutal force. His successor, Habibullah Khan granted amnesty to all the Hazaras exiled, but the division between the government and the Hazaras was already too strong, and the Hazaras contiued to face social, economic, and political discrimination. Pashtuns are people speaking the pashto language and living in Afghanistan and Pakistan. They were the first people to ever be called Afghani.
\nIn the 1970's, the Cold War was raging on between the United States and the Soviet Union. Afghanistan was staying neutral, receiving aid from both sides. The government was facing serious economic problems and popular opposition to its policies. In 1979, the Soviets invaded, and guerrilla forces fought the Soviets and the Soviet-backed government. In 1986, the Soviet-supported leader, Babrak Karmal, resigned.","dateCreated":"1270045372","smartDate":"Mar 31, 2010","userCreated":{"username":"maddieburg","url":"https:\/\/www.wikispaces.com\/user\/view\/maddieburg","imageUrl":"https:\/\/ssl.wikicdn.com\/i\/user_none_lg.jpg"}},{"id":"22271801","body":"In Sept., 1979, Taraki was killed and Hafizullah Amin took power. Shortly thereafter, the USSR sent troops into Afghanistan, Amin was executed, and the Soviet-supported Babrak Karmal became president.By 1979 guerrilla opposition forces, popularly called mujahidin (\u201cIslamic warriors\u201d), were active in much of the country, fighting both Soviet forces and the Soviet-backed Afghan government. As fighting among various factions continued, Afghanistan was in effect divided into several independent zones, each with its own ruler.
\n
\nThe Pashtuns were the largest ad most politically powered group. It is composed of several tribal groups. They have historically dominated the Afghanistan government. This group seems to be the highest on the totem pole. They would have children with other Pashtuns to keep the high class in their bloodline.
\nThe Hazaras were predominantly Shia group in Afghanistan. The Hazaras were considered immigrants. They mostly had children with other Hazaras, probably because of their low status that kept other groups from marrying them. Hazaras in Kabul tend to follow the same unskilled labor occupations, so that some jobs have come to be known as Hazara occupations.","dateCreated":"1270045374","smartDate":"Mar 31, 2010","userCreated":{"username":"JohnM999","url":"https:\/\/www.wikispaces.com\/user\/view\/JohnM999","imageUrl":"https:\/\/ssl.wikicdn.com\/i\/user_none_lg.jpg"}},{"id":"22271805","body":"The Shi'a and the Sunni tribes are both tribes in the Middle East. The difference in the two is not really of difference of religious beliefs but political beliefs. Over centuries though these political differences have spawned a number of varying practices and positions which has come to carry a spiritual difference. The difference between the two date back to the prophet Muhammad's death. The Sunni's believed that the new leader should be elected and they followed the prophet's companions. The word Sunni stands for "one who follows traditions of the prophet." The Shia Muslims believe that the leadership should go through his family. They believed that the new leader should have been his cousin\/son in law, Ali. Naturally then the Shia Muslims have disregarded the authority of elected officials and have followed a line of people that they believe have been selected by the prophet Muhammad himself. Most Muslims in the world today are Sunni Muslims. They make up 85% of the Muslims all over the world. You can mostly find the Shia Muslims today in Iran and Iraq and some large communities also in Yeman, Bahrain, Syria, and Lebanon.","dateCreated":"1270045378","smartDate":"Mar 31, 2010","userCreated":{"username":"o0bryce32","url":"https:\/\/www.wikispaces.com\/user\/view\/o0bryce32","imageUrl":"https:\/\/ssl.wikicdn.com\/i\/user_none_lg.jpg"}},{"id":"22271809","body":"During the 1970s, Afghanistanian government suffered the rising of the people who oppose the social policies at its time. The Afghanistan war also happened at this time and caused an enormous human and economic toll. Ant the government lost ground not long after the end of the war. A group of opposing forces who were referred to as the "Islamic Warriors" who in the end, took control of the government. Not too long after the destruction of the government, the USSR entered the devastated country and restored the president.
\n
\n
\nThe two tribes: Shia and Sunni were two major forces that had conflicts during its coexistence. They were divided between two distinct religions. However, they do not admit there are any problems in between them. It has been seen to have violent engagements between the two sects. Religion is not the only reason they do not get along, this difference in belief reflects on their social and political views and disparities. While both look to the Life of the Prophet Mohammed, the Sunni dealt with the book as the only guide; as to the shai, went far from glorifying it so its not too far off to say that its sacredness for them outgrow its practicality of the book itself. Sunni took over the political power in general and the shia plays firmly the opposing side. Most people who now lives in the Islamic world are the Sunni and shia mainly lives in rural areas. During the course of the 1970s, the population of the party of shia are the most.","dateCreated":"1270045382","smartDate":"Mar 31, 2010","userCreated":{"username":"chiehmeilee","url":"https:\/\/www.wikispaces.com\/user\/view\/chiehmeilee","imageUrl":"https:\/\/ssl.wikicdn.com\/i\/user_none_lg.jpg"}},{"id":"22271811","body":"Once, Afghanistan was a monarchy. However, in 1978, there was a revolution, and Afghanistan became a republic. Getting away from it's hold, the URSS decided to intervene. Thus started the First war in Afghanistan. For 3 years, the Russians controlled most parts of the country. However, with the help of the United States offering weapons, ammunition, , the afghan army has been able to take control back of their territory. Tension falls down as a treaty of peace is signed in 1989.
\n
\n
\nShia and Sunni are the two major denominations of Islam. Nowadays, 15% are shias while 85% are Sunnis. There has always been a tension a small tension between the two groups. Relatively in peace, it is only after the twentieth, with the American invasion, that a new tension between the shias and the sunnis appeared. Valuing their own believes, customs and traditions, an internal fight exploded in Afghanistan.","dateCreated":"1270045389","smartDate":"Mar 31, 2010","userCreated":{"username":"Thomas1992","url":"https:\/\/www.wikispaces.com\/user\/view\/Thomas1992","imageUrl":"https:\/\/ssl.wikicdn.com\/i\/user_none_lg.jpg"}},{"id":"22271879","body":"http:\/\/cheapsketches.blogspot.com\/2010\/03\/kite-runner-and-afghanistan.html<\/a>","dateCreated":"1270045464","smartDate":"Mar 31, 2010","userCreated":{"username":"Molliper","url":"https:\/\/www.wikispaces.com\/user\/view\/Molliper","imageUrl":"https:\/\/ssl.wikicdn.com\/i\/user_none_lg.jpg"}},{"id":"22272067","body":"In Afghanistan between 1975-1985, two major events occured; the Soviet invasion, and the Civil War. On Christmas in 1979, Russian troops landed in Kabul, the capital city of Afghanistan. At this time, Afghanistan was in the midst of its own civil war. The Presidential Palace was assaulted, and Amin was killed. In a matter of only days, Afghanistan was occupied. The United States and Pakistan were already providing needed support for Afghani rebels prior to the invasion. Afterward, this support grew to enormous proportions, turning Afghanistan into a war zone between the two super nations.
\n
\nThe division between the Sunni and Shi'a dates back to the Prophet Muhammad and the debate over who took on leadership of the Muslim nations. Sunni's believed that the leadership belonged to the man capable of the job. On the other hand, Shi'a's believed the job belonged to the individual in the family of the prophet. The Shia Muslims believe that following the Prophet Muhammad's death, leadership should have passed directly to his cousin\/son-in-law, Ali. However, the Sunni approach was taken and the man most capable of the job was in turn labeled as the new leader of the Muslim nations. Throughout history, Shia Muslims have not recognized the authority of elected Muslim leaders, choosing instead to follow a line of Imams which they believe have been appointed by the Prophet Muhammad or God Himself.","dateCreated":"1270045746","smartDate":"Mar 31, 2010","userCreated":{"username":"mhackett08","url":"https:\/\/www.wikispaces.com\/user\/view\/mhackett08","imageUrl":"https:\/\/ssl.wikicdn.com\/i\/user_none_lg.jpg"}},{"id":"22272079","body":" Both Sunni and Shia Muslims share the most basic Islamic beliefs and are considered to be brethren in faith. The difference between these two sub-groups within Islam were originally political ones. However, these political differences have come to create a spiritual difference. Some aspects of spiritual life have been affected and now differ between these two groups. Now most Muslims do not disinguish themselves as either Sunni or Shia but simply call themselves Muslims.
\n Sunnie and Shia muslims were divided when the prophet Muhammad died and the question of who would take over the leadership of the Muslim nation came in to play. Each group, the Sunni's and the Shia's had different beliefs of how the next prophet should be chosen. The Sunni's believed, as many prophets companions did, that the new leader should be elected from among those capable of the job. On the other hand, some Muslims believed that the leaadership should have remained within the Prophets family, among those specifically appointed by him, or among Imams appointed by God himself. The Shia's believed that the leadership of the next prophet after the death of the Prophet Muhammad should have passed directly to the Prophet Muhammad's cousin\/son in law, Ali. Throughout history Shia Muslims have decided to follow a line of Imams which they believe have been appointed by the Prophet Muhammad or God Himself. They have chosen not to recognize the authority of elected Muslim leaders. Thus it follows that the word Sunni in Arabic comes from a word meaning "one who follows the traditions of the Prophet", and the word Shia in Arabic means a group or supportive party of people. The commonly-known term is shortened from the historical "Shia-t-Ali," or "the Party of Ali." They are also known as followers of "Ahl-al-Bayt" or "People of the Household" (of the Prophet)
\n Afghanistan is often called the crossroads of central Asia and has a turbulent history. In 328BC, Alexandra the great entered the territory of Afghanistan and established a Hellenistic state in Bactria. In succeding centuries Scythians, White Huns, and Turks invaded Afghanistan. In AD 642, Arabs invaded the entire region and introduced Islam.
\nIn December 1978, Moscow signed a new treaty of friendship and cooperation with Afghanistan","dateCreated":"1270045763","smartDate":"Mar 31, 2010","userCreated":{"username":"olumia","url":"https:\/\/www.wikispaces.com\/user\/view\/olumia","imageUrl":"https:\/\/ssl.wikicdn.com\/i\/user_none_lg.jpg"}},{"id":"22287809","body":"Afghanistan was a monarchy until 1973, when it was overthrown by Daud Khan. A one-party Republic was created, but in 1979 the Soviet Union decided to invade Afghanistan. 200 000 Afghans became refugees in Pakistan when the Russians had occupied their country. In the meantime, the Muslim resistance against the Russians grew fast. Some countries referred to Afghanistan as "the Soviet's Vietnam."
\n
\nDaud Khan was killed by a Afghan-communist group; thus, the Democratic Republic of Afghanistan was established in 1978, before the Russian invasion. The group called themselves social reformers who had independence from Russia and the United States, but that was not the case.
\n
\nNur Muhammad Taraki became the country's new leader. He claimed that his party resembled Afghani nationalism, pride and religion.
\n
\nThe country experiences more and more violence...
\n
\nU.S. Ambassador Adolph Dubs was killed in a revolt in 1979; consequently, the U.S. decided not to aid Afghanistan against Russia. Thereof, the two countries have difficulties getting along even in present time.
\n
\nIn the beginning of the 80s is when we can see a strong appearance of Muslims related to terrorism. For example, Osama Bin Laden came to power, and he became the brains behind many terrorist attacks.
\n
\nInitially, the split between Shia and Sunni had little to do with differences in their religious beliefs but was caused by political differences. In Afghanistan, the Shias were a minority and they consisted mostly of the Hazaras. The majority of the people was and is sunni, which the Pashtun belongs to. Of the Muslims in Afghanistan, about 80% are Sunnis and 20% are Shias.
\nConflicts between the two groups still persist.","dateCreated":"1270061972","smartDate":"Mar 31, 2010","userCreated":{"username":"kellygarrett1","url":"https:\/\/www.wikispaces.com\/user\/view\/kellygarrett1","imageUrl":"https:\/\/ssl.wikicdn.com\/i\/user_none_lg.jpg"}}],"more":2}]},{"id":"22091355","dateCreated":"1269611040","smartDate":"Mar 26, 2010","userCreated":{"username":"dracine","url":"https:\/\/www.wikispaces.com\/user\/view\/dracine","imageUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikispaces.com\/user\/pic\/1221680039\/dracine-lg.jpg"},"monitored":false,"locked":false,"links":{"self":"https:\/\/americandreamliterature.wikispaces.com\/share\/view\/22091355"},"dateDigested":1531983172,"startDate":null,"sharedType":"discussion","title":"Immigration Issues","description":"I would like you to research current immigration issues in the United States. Are there problems with our immigration system? How have immigration laws changed since the 1950s?","replyPages":[{"page":0,"digests":[{"id":"22093321","body":"There are many problems with the immigration system in the United States. Rather than helping to grow America, the immigration system is restricting. Immigration in the United States today is viewed by many people as the poor coming from the rags to the riches when they reach the United States. Most immigrants are viewed as poor individuals coming to America and racking up foreign debt.
\n
\nImmigration is driven by economic and political violence by corporations and the governments that oversee them, in the U.S., the Department of Homeland Security, the news media, and the politicians redefine the immigration issue. The corporations have attempted to rally the American people to support the criminalization of immigrant workers as a solution to the growing anger of all workers in America over the corporate attack on their living standards, the basic necessities of life, and the corporate wasting of the country\u2019s finances.","dateCreated":"1269613015","smartDate":"Mar 26, 2010","userCreated":{"username":"eedwardss","url":"https:\/\/www.wikispaces.com\/user\/view\/eedwardss","imageUrl":"https:\/\/ssl.wikicdn.com\/i\/user_none_lg.jpg"}},{"id":"22093621","body":"The state always had and still has the largest count of illegal immigrants in the nation but that position is deteriorating fast. Studies show that in 2000, California was home to 30 % of illegal immigrants in the country. However by 2009, that number had dropped to 24 %. This does not mean that illegal immigrants have left the state, but in fact the population numbers are more or less unchanged, but rather that newcomers to the nation prefer to go elsewhere. Studies also show that illegal immigrants cost California as much as 11 billion dollars a year, to simply provide human services. The fact that California\u2019s illegal immigrant population has grown from 2.5 million in 2000 to 2.6 million in 2009 is evidence of a lack of attraction. People, including immigrants are starting to notice the decline of California's economy, and are going elsewhere. Such as Arizona, Texas, and Miami. Due to California's decline economically, immigrants are now be limited to a certain amount per region. This is mainly due to the troubles that California and the nation are facing. With recession hitting every part of the nation, California especially has been hit hard as it has been suffering from a recession beginning in the early parts of the nineties. The lack of jobs, steadily increasing cost of living and public services that are deteriorating fast have made the state undesirable for illegal immigrants. Although other states have seen a boom in their illegal immigrant population, the overall numbers in the nation have actually dropped; from 11.8 million in 2007 the population has fallen to 10.8 million in 2009. Experts point out that the recession is the main cause for the drop as many illegal immigrants have gone back to their native countries due to the lack of jobs. Mainly because of overpopulation which has been taking place in California. More than 98 % of California's population growth in the past 10 years has been due to immigration. Since California has been so poorly managed by its Governors and legislature, California is in billions of dollars of debt and is struggling to provide water to its people. In the past 10 years over 4 million people have been added to California's population. It is a national problem and the solution is just too obvious, just too politically incorrect. The US has to significantly restrict immigration or it will undermine all aspects of our economy, our national security, and the quality of life in this nation.","dateCreated":"1269613297","smartDate":"Mar 26, 2010","userCreated":{"username":"jjwheels6","url":"https:\/\/www.wikispaces.com\/user\/view\/jjwheels6","imageUrl":"https:\/\/ssl.wikicdn.com\/i\/user_none_lg.jpg"}},{"id":"22093643","body":"Immigration in the United States today is still considered a big issue. Supporters of immigration in today's world include corporate interests that profit from cheap foreign labors, ethnic lobbies, seeking to increase their political base, and religious activists, humanitarians, and civil libertarians who focus on human rights and other ethical concerns. Opponents toward immigration view it as a threat to American culture. They also fear immigration takes jobs from Americans and also depresses U.S. wages. Many immigrants from Mexico work in the United States to support their family south of the boarder. This is turn makes a huge impact of the Mexican economy. The National Population Council of Mexico estimates that one in 10 Mexican families is dependent upon remittances (money sent home from Mexican workers in the U.S.) as their primary source of income. Through this information you can see the effect that immigration to the United States has on families and even countries. Problems that the U.S. has with immigration is the population growth. Immigration is becoming so substantial that it is said by the year 2020, if current population trends continue, the U.S. will add enough population to create another New York City, Los Angeles, Chicago, Philadelphia, Baltimore, San Francisco, Indianapolis, San Jose, Memphis, Washington D.C., Jacksonville, Milwaukee, Boston, Columbus, New Orleans, Cleveland, Denver, Seattle, and El Paso - plus the next 75 largest cities in the U.S. Immigration is the largest factor contributing to population growth in the U.S. Immigration contributes over 2.25 million people to the U.S. population annually. There was not much of a difference between immigration now and in the 1950s. People are coming to the U.S. to seize better opportunities for their family. One of the only thing that has changed is the number of people coming to the United States. Then the question must be asked How many immigrants do we let in without making such drastic numbers to our population. This question is always a popular issue in presidential debates because no one really has a true solution to the problem.","dateCreated":"1269613320","smartDate":"Mar 26, 2010","userCreated":{"username":"o0bryce32","url":"https:\/\/www.wikispaces.com\/user\/view\/o0bryce32","imageUrl":"https:\/\/ssl.wikicdn.com\/i\/user_none_lg.jpg"}},{"id":"22093649","body":"There is still residential segregation between Americans. Immigrants from the same country, for example, Mexicans choose to live in the same neighborhoods, and many white Americans do not want to live in those neighborhoods. This segregation is not always because of the immigrants' economy but because of their choice. Ichiro's family as well as many other Japanese families in "No-No Boy" have decided to live in the Japanese neighborhood,even though some of them might afford to live in the nicer, generally white neighborhoods.
\n Because many immigrants prefer to shut out the (white?) American culture, it becomes hard for them to be accepted and respected by Americans.","dateCreated":"1269613322","smartDate":"Mar 26, 2010","userCreated":{"username":"kellygarrett1","url":"https:\/\/www.wikispaces.com\/user\/view\/kellygarrett1","imageUrl":"https:\/\/ssl.wikicdn.com\/i\/user_none_lg.jpg"}},{"id":"22093651","body":"Surveys indicate that over 60% the American public is very concerned about the illegal immigration situation in the United States, and it was a very heavily raised issue in the 2008 presidential campaign. The 2008 Republican platform was silent on the legalization issue but opposed amnesty, strict border enforcement, and foolproof workplace enforcement. The 2008 Democratic platform urged a similar commitment to border and workplace enforcement but supported a system that required undocumented immigrants who are in good standing to pay a fine, pay taxes, learn English, and go to the back of the line for the opportunity to become citizens. Over the course of the past 15 years, there has been a massive large-scale illegal immigration rate, and because of the governments delay of reaction to this issue, American citizens had decided to take matters into their own hands. In April of 2005, a group of volunteer American citizens who called themselves "The Minute Men" patrolled and guarded the Arizona boarder to deny any illegal entrance to immigrants. Other efforts have sought to expose people who are employing day labor at various pick up locations. As this issue became more and more popular, and even more serious the Senate passed a reform measure in 2006 which provided for stricter border control but also allowed for a legalization process for many illegal immigrants presently in the country. The reality of the illegal immigration situation could be resolved very quickly through simple enforcement of existing legislation. If job site enforcement was anywhere near the level it was in the early 90's when the border security was lax, then possibly over 90% of illegal immigrants would permanently leave the country and the entire process could take less than a month. Immigration opponents have more than a sufficient reason to be outraged at this lack of enforcement of the nation's laws. Yet virtually all analyists agree that the expulsion of the nation's illegal immigrants would at this point cause a massive economic disruption. since the 1950s, the U.S. immigration system has not been revamped to proactively address both the needs of the U.S. economy or the situations in other countries that necessitate people coming to the United States as economic or war refugees. Instead, U.S. immigration policy over the past decade has been a series of fragments that have focused on measures that severely restrict immigration or harsh enforcement measures designed to expand the numbers of those who are deported or detained. Nowhere in these measures has there been an attempt to sit down, take stock of who is here in the United States, who we need to have here in order for our economy to function, what our moral obligations are as a global superpower, and what this means for a new immigration policy.","dateCreated":"1269613323","smartDate":"Mar 26, 2010","userCreated":{"username":"AHess18","url":"https:\/\/www.wikispaces.com\/user\/view\/AHess18","imageUrl":"https:\/\/ssl.wikicdn.com\/i\/user_none_lg.jpg"}},{"id":"22093677","body":"Immigration during the decade 1951 to 1960 totaled 2,515,479 (an average of about 250,000 per year), the highest since the 1920s. This is not surprising, since the two intervening decades included the depression of the 1930s and World War II. The gap between Eastern and Western Hemisphere immigration also narrowed: of the 2.5 million entries, almost a million entered from the Western Hemisphere.
\n
\nThe purpose of the INA of 1952 was to limit the immigration into the United states. Although president Truman tried to veto the INA, the act still passed. Truman stated "Today, we are protecting ourselves as we were in 1924, against being flooded by immigrants from Eastern Europe. This is fantastic...We do not need to be protected against immigrants from these countries on the contrary we want to stretch out a helping hand, to save those who have managed to flee into Western Europe, to succor those who are brave enough to escape from barbarism, to welcome and restore them against the day when their countries will, as we hope, be free again...these are only a few examples of the absurdity, the cruelty of carrying over into this year of 1952 the isolationist limitations of our 1924 law. In no other realm of our national life are we so hampered and stultified by the dead hand of the past, as we are in this field of immigration." His opinion is showing a gradual acceptance of immigrants by Americans of the 1950's. This idea of thinking obviously did not apply to the majority of the House or the Senate, since the veto was overwritten. This shows that the although Americans are growing more accepting of immigrants, they are still in favor of limiting them into our country.
\n
\nThe introduction of the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act (IIRAIRA), enacted in 1996, shows a tolerance of immigration, but still goes against the idea of illegal immigration.","dateCreated":"1269613349","smartDate":"Mar 26, 2010","userCreated":{"username":"JohnM999","url":"https:\/\/www.wikispaces.com\/user\/view\/JohnM999","imageUrl":"https:\/\/ssl.wikicdn.com\/i\/user_none_lg.jpg"}},{"id":"22093681","body":"Immigration and Nationality act(INA), passed in 1952, took the first step in organizing one set of laws governing the immigration process. Before the INA, a variety of statues governed immigration law, but were not organized and put together on one legal document. It has served as the basic body of immigration law and continues to be amended as the times change.
\n
\nThere are many reasons listed in the INA for why an immigrant may not be admissible to the United States. A few examples are if a person has a health related issues that could possibly spread. However, just recently, HIV is no longer an applicable reason to deny a person entry to the US. Other reasons include if a person has been found guilty of a crime, depending on the nature and extent, they can be denied entry. Generally taken into account when examining an immigrant for entry to the US is their age, health, assets, resources, financial status, education and skills.
\n
\nThere are many people in favor of the INA and many people opposed. Many people believe America should be the land of "second chances" that a person's past should not be considered. However, that puts the current citizens at risk if an immigrant is allowed entry if they have committed crimes or carry disease. It is up to the immigration office to determine the proper balance between the current health and safety of the public and the fairness of the laws of immigration","dateCreated":"1269613353","smartDate":"Mar 26, 2010","userCreated":{"username":"ckincheloe","url":"https:\/\/www.wikispaces.com\/user\/view\/ckincheloe","imageUrl":"https:\/\/ssl.wikicdn.com\/i\/user_none_lg.jpg"}},{"id":"22093685","body":"Concern over illegal immigration ranges from national security and the rule of law to the risk would-be illegals take to enter the country and their well-being once here. But the fiscal effects are a key part of the issue.The high cost of cheap labor has become extremely taxing on the U.S federal budget. Past policy responses to illegal aliens, such as barring them from welfare programs, were also driven by the desire to minimize fiscal costs.
\n
\nSimply by living in the United States, illegals unavoidably impose some costs on government. Like all people, illegal aliens enroll their children in public schools, drive on the roads, use public restrooms, and engage in a host of other activities that necessarily cost government money. They also unavoidably pay taxes. Even when they are paid "off the books," they still pay excise and other types of taxes to the government.
\n
\nAlmost all observers agree that illegal immigration is a problem. The fiscal impact of illegal immigration has enormous bearings on the question of what to do about illegal immigration. While employers may want access to immigrant labor, the fiscal costs to taxpayers must be considered.
\nIllegal immigration is a serious issue in the U.S today because it is costing legal citizens more money in taxes. Overpopulation is also an increasingly worrisome topic which can lead to poverty from all ends of the spectrum.","dateCreated":"1269613359","smartDate":"Mar 26, 2010","userCreated":{"username":"mhackett08","url":"https:\/\/www.wikispaces.com\/user\/view\/mhackett08","imageUrl":"https:\/\/ssl.wikicdn.com\/i\/user_none_lg.jpg"}},{"id":"22093787","body":"In the first half of the 19th century, Immigration laws focused on limiting the amount of migrations to the United states. In 1906, the first language requirement was passed; potential immigrants had to be able to speak and understand English. Eleven years later, Congress overrode President Wilson's veto and enacted a literacy requirement. All new immigrants had to have the ability to read 40 words in some language. It also designated Asia as a "barred zone" from which immigration was prohibited, excluding Japan and the Philippines. To further restrict immigration, the national-origins quota system was formed. It limited admissions from each European country to 3% of each foreign born nationality in the 1910 census. Restrictionists' decisive stroke was the Johnson-Reed Act, which embodied the principle of preserving the United States' racial composition. Immigration quotas would be based on the ethnic makeup of the US population as a whole in 1920. Another provision of the act banned all immigrants who were ineligible to citizenship, primarily affecting the Japanese. In the second half of the century, Congress began to move in a more pro-immigrant direction; they also started to enact laws against illegal immigration. In 1965, the US eliminated racial criteria from its immigration laws. Each country, regardless of ethnicity, received an annual quota of 20,000. In 1986, the Immigration Reform and Control Act gave amnesty to approximately three million undocumented residents. It also punished employers who hired illegal immigrants. The Immigration Act of 1990 raised the limit for immigration to 700,000 people per year. However, a persistent recession in the US in the early 90's caused people to call for tighter security for illegal immigration. The Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act is passed, toughening border enforcement, closing opportunities for undocumented immigrants to adjust their status, and making it more difficult to gain asylum. Only one year later, however, a new Congress mitigated some of the overly harsh restrictions recently passed. The Balanced Budget agreement restored public benefits for some elderly and disabled immigrants. The Nicaraguan Adjustment and Central American Relief Act restored an opportunity for certain war refugees living in legal limbo to become permanent residents. Through the end of the century, Congress passed more pro-immigrant laws, such as the Legal Immigration Family Equity Act, which created a window for immigrants with family or employer sponsors to adjust to legal status in the US and provided temporary visas for certain family-sponsored immigrants; The Child Citizenship Act granted automatic US citizenship to foreign born adopted children; and the Victims of Trafficking and Violence Protection act provided visas for trafficking and crime victims. In the early 1900's, Congress mainly passed laws that restricted the amount of immigrants into the US, however as the century progressed, Congress removed many restrictions allowing more people to come to the US.","dateCreated":"1269613460","smartDate":"Mar 26, 2010","userCreated":{"username":"maddieburg","url":"https:\/\/www.wikispaces.com\/user\/view\/maddieburg","imageUrl":"https:\/\/ssl.wikicdn.com\/i\/user_none_lg.jpg"}},{"id":"22093803","body":"The immigration situation have really changed since 1950. Foreign citizens have to face new laws,and different procedures are now required to become American.
\n
\nFirst, you must be 18 and live permanently in the US. You have to be living in America for at least 5 years. Moreover, to acquire your American citizenship you must show a good moral towards the Constitution and the US principles. Finally, a point that is much more different from 1950 is that you have to be able to speak, read, or write in English.
\n
\nAdditionally, there are many problems related to the American immigration system. First, there is an incredible amount of foreign citizens that cross the borders illegally. More then 10 million undocumented aliens reside in the US. Obviously, this situation is the result of the weakness of the borders. Also, many foreign citizen, despite their love for the country and their acceptance of the rules are not granted the American citizenship. Some new ways of evaluating each foreign citizen's situation must be considered.","dateCreated":"1269613477","smartDate":"Mar 26, 2010","userCreated":{"username":"Thomas1992","url":"https:\/\/www.wikispaces.com\/user\/view\/Thomas1992","imageUrl":"https:\/\/ssl.wikicdn.com\/i\/user_none_lg.jpg"}},{"id":"22093949","body":"The major pillars of current immigration policy, put in place under the 1965 immigration and nationality act, are: "eliminating restrictive country quotas that put immigrants from different nations on unequal footing; emphasizing family-sponsored immigration; and, to a lesser extent, certain employment preferences." Today the debate on immigration is over how many immigrants to admit into the United states and how to gaurantee that people don't come to America illigally. It is also being argued whether to cut back the types of family members who can be sponsored. Another issue is whether to increase the proportion of employment-based visas and if so, whether to give them to high-skilled or low-skilled workers. So in conclusion, the problems with our current immigration system are 1. we are allowing too many people that come to America, which is not good because if too many people come over there will not be any jobs left for Americans. 2. People are coming to America illegally. In order to prevent people from coming to America illegally, we need to increase border enforcement. Since the 1950's the immigration system has not been altered to address both the needs of the U.S economy or the situations in other countries that necissitate people coming to the U.S as economic or war refugees. Instead the U.S immigration system has has focused on measures that restrict immigration or harsh enforcement measures designed to increase the number of people who are deported or detained.","dateCreated":"1269613647","smartDate":"Mar 26, 2010","userCreated":{"username":"olumia","url":"https:\/\/www.wikispaces.com\/user\/view\/olumia","imageUrl":"https:\/\/ssl.wikicdn.com\/i\/user_none_lg.jpg"}}],"more":0}]}],"more":false},"comments":[]},"http":{"code":200,"status":"OK"},"redirectUrl":null,"javascript":null,"notices":{"warning":[],"error":[],"info":[],"success":[]}}