Introduction
American society is characterized by many immigrants of different races who have made their homes in the U.S. Although the U.S. has been applauded for being the destination for many immigrants, especially those from war zones, little has been done to ensure the immigrants’ wellbeing. Over the years, concerns have been raised over the number of immigrants and their impact on resources and social support. Although racial segregation may not have received public attention in the recent past, immigrants have been subjected to health inequalities over the years, contributing to poor living conditions among non-US-born citizens. This essay discusses inequality, immigration, and health in America, focusing on the preferential treatment of different races in the U.S., and shows that minorities have been economically, politically, and socially segregated.
Inequality
Inequality arises from unequal treatment of individuals due to specific defining characters. For centuries, humanity has been differentiated regarding skin color, gender, geographical location, and other factors. From the era of the French revolution, when proponents of liberté, égalité, and fraternité took the left side of the very first Assemblée Nationale, inequality has been a defining feature of the left-right political continuum (Brown 1507). On the one hand, left-wingers have long contended that capitalism breeds economic inequality, which may be combated by collaborative socio-economic and political initiatives (Brown 1509). These have understood the heavy impact of inequalities on all dimensions of society. On the other hand, right-wingers have argued that inequalities are simply the result of inherent distinctions between people or social groupings, with which people should not interfere.
Today, inequity is a serious issue, and it has been proven that having constricted social hierarchies impacts population health. Indeed, a slew of social ills, like criminal activity, have been connected to strong social gradients. Understanding the current state of subjective treatment is crucial for addressing such social issues (Jett 50). People of specific racial-cultural groups experience disparities in resources, influence, and perceived human value globally. Some researchers who have studied ancient history and human philosophy have speculated that racial disparity is attributed to races gaining preferential power through larger populations and financial opportunities (Jett 50). Because of these benefits, Europeans easily acquired superior weapons and equipment, making it simple to subjugate minority communities. Social inequality is rampant in the U.S., mainly affecting minorities and immigrants.
By controlling the less fortunate people, the majority groups of persons in positions of considerable power reinforced racial inequity. These groupings were frequently separated along racial and ethnic lines. Those structures of racial injustice have been sustained in current times by social forces. Racial inequality alludes to a racial hierarchy in which white Europeans have held the top spot and people of color have occupied the bottom place in America (Brown 1509). Typically, this structure has served to keep whites out of positions of authority and better educational, career, and income chances. It also assured that people from lower socio-economic classes were ready to undertake “society’s dirty job” for little pay. This situation is explicitly discussed by Brown in his “Racial stratification” theme on America’s society (1510). Segregation on the basis of color and origin is at a high level in the U.S., as demonstrated in the healthcare, immigration, and justice departments.
The justice department is entrusted with the correction and rehabilitation of wrongdoers for society’s benefit. However, many have failed to note that people of color and immigrants often receive harsh treatment or lack equal opportunities for work and social involvement after incarceration. Western addresses inequality in the political and socio-economic dimensions with a particular focus on the U.S. penal code (34). Although the American prison system has been in existence for decades, the last twenty years have led to an exponential increase in prisons and the number of prisoners. According to Western, people of color are estimated to be up to eight times more likely to be imprisoned compared to their European counterparts (30). Researchers have found a link between imprisonment rates and the level of education, with the uneducated men, who are mostly minority groups, falling victims more often than the Europeans (Western 30). This point also indicates the high level of inequality in access to education.
In many cases, a rise in criminal activities translates to a high imprisonment rate. However, Western notes that although the crime rate did not increase significantly in the mid-nineteenth century, the number of minorities being imprisoned increased at a high rate (32). In addition, lack of education and unemployment have been cited as the major drivers for criminal activities in the U.S. Research shows that African-Americans and Hispanics were less likely to find good jobs within the U.S., explaining why most of them were arrested (Western 32). Today, most minorities find it hard to land employment after incarceration, leading to poor living conditions. In essence, the correctional institution that was meant to contribute to social wellbeing has resulted in increased systemic racism and inequalities.
Immigration
Every day, almost 70,000 immigrants travel to the United States. The majority of these visitors are not permanent residents. Over 60,000 foreigners are received at airport terminals and border checks as tourists, merchants, students, or expatriates (Martin and Midgley 3). Immigrants who have been accepted to become legal citizens of the United States arrive at a rate of about 2,200 each day, and roughly 5,000 foreigners enter the country illegally every day (Martin and Midgley 3). Since it is the border patrol’s duty to ensure the safety of all Americans, about
Four thousand foreigners are detained when they cross the border between the United States and Mexico (Martin and Midgley 4). From the statistics, it is evident that America has had an immigration heritage. However, citizens have expressed concerns over the impact of the high immigration rates on the country’s social, economic, and political situations.
Over the years, potential criminal activities have been prevented through thorough border checks. In an attempt to unravel this issue, Martin and Midgley question whether Americans should be wary of the escalating immigration rates or welcome them (4). In summary, Americans are depicted as individuals with a right to safety, thus necessitating strict border regulations since the citizens should be concerned over the disruption of their cultures in the long run. However, America’s immigration department has been accused of rampant, systemic racism that mainly affects minorities.
It is worth noting that U.S. history has been founded on racial discrimination in regard to immigration. In 1790, the first United States Congress passed legislation stating that only “free white persons” of “good character” were able to live and work in the U.S. (Brown 1520). The Chinese Exclusion Act, approved by Congress in 1882, prohibited Chinese individuals from crossing the border (Brown 1520). Jett points out that America has tried to justify its racist immigration rules by citing economic concerns (55). President Hoover exploited Mexican Americans as culprits during the Economic Depression, deporting as many as 1.8 million Mexican immigrants, the bulk of whom were citizens of the United States (Brown 1521).
Immigrants find it challenging to find meaningful employment opportunities, but those who do are expected to pay taxes. According to Jett (58), undocumented immigrants contribute well over $11 billion in corporate taxes every year, but they are ineligible for many tax incentives that would benefit their American-born children’s health and wellbeing. Minorities were also excluded from the first COVID-19 recovery legislation owing to these constraints. The past and recent data show that immigrants have been segregated both at the entry points and within the U.S. borders.
Health
Health is an essential factor in human sustenance, determining the quality and longevity of life. In a developed country, such as the U.S., healthcare has been improved to facilitate the development of a healthy society for the nation’s sustainable development goals. However, systemic inequalities in health coverage have limited immigrants and minorities from accessing quality health services. According to Singh et al., this national health program in preventative medicine lacks statistics that clearly target the healthcare of U.S. immigrants, although reducing health disparities among different socio-demographic groups is the prime aim (2). There are significant disparities in healthcare availability and accessibility between foreigners and native-born citizens (Singh 3). Acculturation, which is sloppily evaluated by the length of time spent in a country since immigration, takes a critical part in changing the social, psychosocial, and health attributes of immigrants. This situation has contributed to a significant decline in minorities’ health and wellbeing, leading to a higher mortality rate.
Although health disparities have been ignored most of the time, the coronavirus (COVID-19) global epidemic has exposed severe health disparities in the American culture that have existed for decades. There is a close connection between cultures, politics, and healthcare. Krouse’s research shows that the demographics most likely to face disparities in disease burden, universal healthcare, and patient outcomes include blacks, Mexicans, American Indians, and immigrants (65). Consistently, national and local COVID-19 figures show that blacks have considerably higher mortality rates.
With the availability of universal healthcare programs, Medicaid and Medicare, one would expect Americans to be among the healthiest people globally. However, research shows that inappropriate policies have made the American population among the least healthy (Krouse 65). As demonstrated during the pandemic, immigrants and minorities were not prioritized for vaccination. Jett also notes that with the rise of COVID-19 infections, minorities were subjected to “immobility,” while their European counterparts were accorded some freedom and protection (62). These statistics reveal that America has continued to perpetuate racial segregation in almost every dimension of society. This calls for progressive and practical social, financial, and political positions that will influence programs to improve the health and wellbeing of all Americans.
Conclusion
In conclusion, inequality, health, and immigration have been at the center of America’s policies for decades. In a developed economy that has been applauded for its immigration heritage, systemic racism has rendered many Americans unhealthy, unsafe, and without the freedom to migrate. Although the American government has a vested interest in border controls, it has extended unequal treatments to immigrants barring many from accessing the health benefits and wellbeing available in the country.
Works Cited
Brown, Tyson H. “Racial Stratification, Immigration, and Health Inequality: A Life Course-Intersectional Approach.” Social Forces, vol. 96, no. 4, 2018, pp. 1507-1540. Web.
Jett, Brandon T. “‘ Our Nation Is Moving Toward Two Societies’: Race, (I’m) Mobility, and the Inequalities of Capitalism in the Twentieth and Twenty-First Centuries.” Journal of Urban History, 2020, pp. 50-75. Web.
Krouse, Helene J. “COVID-19 and the widening gap in health inequity.” Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, vol. 163, no.1, 2020, pp. 65-66. Web.
Martin, Philip, and Elizabeth Midgley. Immigration to the United States. Yale University Press, 2009.
Singh, Gopal K. et al. “Immigrant Health Inequalities in the United States: Use Of Eight Major National Data Systems.” The Scientific World Journal, vol. 2013, 2013, pp. 1-21. Hindawi Limited, Web.
Western, Bruce. Punishment and Inequality in America. Russell Sage Foundation, 2006.