Outline what Alex Padilla says about the immigration experience of his family and of other immigrants in the U.S. today.

Analyze how Padilla conveys his view on the American Dream. Focus on communicative strategies and use of language.

Choose one of the following tasks:

3.1

“But that Dream has never been about passive participation. It’s made possible by those who work for it and by those willing to defend it and expand it.” (ll. 17-19)

Taking the quotation as a starting point, assess to what extent the American Dream is still attainable in contemporary U.S. society.

or

3.2

As a participant at an international summer school course on immigration at a U.S. university, you have been given the assignment to write an entry for the participants’ blog based on the cartoon below, which had recently been published in that blog.

Taking the message of the cartoon as a starting point, write the blog entry, commenting on the appeal of the U.S. as a destination for immigrants today.

In his maiden speech for the 118th Congress, Alex Padilla reflects on the immigration experience of his own family and of many other immigrants living in the United States today.

Padilla explains that his parents are poor immigrants from Mexico who came to the U.S., specifically to California, in search of a better life. They worked hard in low-paid jobs—his father as a short order cook and his mother as a housekeeper—and made many sacrifices to raise their children. The family lived in a derelict, crime-ridden neighborhood where they had to deal with neglected infrastructure and the presence of drug dealers. They struggled to make ends meet and were often not able to pay their bills, with Padilla’s mother even bartering homemade food for more time to pay the mechanic. When it was time for Padilla to go to college, the family relied on financial aid, since tuition costs were far more than what his father earned. Despite all the challenges, the family realized their American Dream, with Padilla becoming a U.S. Senator which is a success he credits to his parents’ dedication and hard work. Padilla also addresses the challenges faced by other immigrants in the United States today. He highlights how many immigrant families are separated, and how countless people live in fear of being threatened with deportation from the only country they know. These individuals are often confronted with an insecure legal situation and a denial of citizenship, which makes their futures uncertain. At the same time, immigrants often do not receive the recognition they deserve as an indispensable and reliable workforce, even though they played a key role in keeping the economy running during difficult times, such as the pandemic.

In his speech to the 118th Congress, Alex Padilla clearly expresses his belief in the American Dream and uses various communicative strategies and stylistic devices to support his message.

Padilla begins by claiming that he and his family are living the American Dream. He presents himself as someone who achieved it, using his personal background as evidence. For example, he emphasizes that he is the “first Latino” to represent California in the U.S. Senate (l. 1) and proudly describes himself as a “first-generation son of a short order cook and a housekeeper” now serving in the Senate, calling it “proof of the American Dream” (ll. 15–17). Through this, he shows that the American Dream is still attainable for immigrants today. Padilla supports his view by detailing his family’s biography as a narrative of upward mobility. He uses personal references, such as “my family’s story … a reflection of what … hardworking families have experienced” (ll. 2–3), and explains how his parents worked in low-paid jobs to raise him and his siblings (ll. 5–6). He also creates a negative image of the environment they lived in, mentioning “our neighborhood neglected … from buckled sidewalks to drug dealers” (l. 9), and uses imagery like “live paycheck to paycheck” (ll. 10–11) to describe financial struggles. With the anaphora “I remember … I remember …” (ll. 8–13), he makes his memories more vivid and emotional. At the end of the speech, he again uses repetition in “They are the American story. They are the American Dream.” (l. 53), which underlines his message that success is possible despite hardship and poverty. Furthermore, Padilla describes the sacrifices and hopes of immigrants’ daily struggle. He uses expressive language, such as “hard work” (l. 15), “tired eyes and a sore back” (l. 21), and “toiled and sacrificed” (l. 51), to show the physical and emotional effort needed to succeed. He also uses alliteration, e.g. “never … passive participation” (ll. 17–18), and positive words like “hopeful goals for a better future” (l. 19) to highlight the optimism and strength behind the American Dream. His enumeration in “drive to get up … before the sun rises, put on a white apron, and push” (l. 20) paints a powerful picture of motivation and perseverance. Padilla also points out politicians’ responsibility to support people in achieving the American Dream. He reminds the audience of America’s history, making an allusion to the Statue of Liberty with the words “huddled masses” (l. 46), and referring to civil rights activists who fought for equality and justice (ll. 47–49). These references evoke a sense of historical obligation to keep the Dream alive for future generations. He then demands that the American Dream must become a personal cause for others, especially politicians. He gives a personal example by mentioning his children and saying that the future is not abstract for him (ll. 22–27). He uses an appeal and inclusive language, e.g. “Colleagues, we have to be focused … make sure the American Dream is alive” (ll. 28–29), as well as rhetorical questions, such as “Who’s willing …? And what are we …?” (ll. 29–30), to encourage his audience to act. He also uses emotive language, for example when he talks about the “survival of the American Dream” (l. 35), to underline the urgency of the issue. Finally, Padilla shows shortcomings of the present situation and suggests political actions to improve it. He uses concrete examples, such as the need to “reform our outdated immigration system” and to “create a pathway to citizenship” (ll. 37–38). His language becomes more emotional and metaphorical with expressions like “sorely needed updates … crippling visa backlogs … keep families apart … deny … workforce” (ll. 41–42). These examples clearly identify policies that need reform, in his view, to protect and preserve the American Dream. Through a mix of personal experience, emotional language, rhetorical devices, and political appeals, Padilla convincingly presents his vision of the American Dream as something real, valuable, and worth fighting for.

3.1

In his speech, Alex Padilla states: “But that Dream has never been about passive participation. It’s made possible by those who work for it and by those willing to defend it and expand it.” (ll. 17–19). With this quote, he emphasizes that the American Dream requires active support, hard work, and constant efforts to protect and develop it. It is not something that simply happens, it must be earned and maintained. This idea leads to the important question: To what extent is the American Dream still attainable in today’s U.S. society?

On the one hand, there are many reasons to believe that the American Dream is still achievable. The U.S. Constitution guarantees civil and human rights and gives citizens the opportunity to participate in a democratic society. These rights create a legal foundation that supports freedom and fairness. In addition, laws and institutions help provide access to education and jobs, making it possible for many people to improve their lives.

There are also programs aimed at promoting integration and helping minorities, such as affirmative action, community support systems, and scholarships. These efforts try to reduce inequalities and give disadvantaged groups better chances to succeed. Another important factor is the traditional pioneer spirit and the belief that hard work, sacrifice, and personal responsibility can lead to success. This belief continues to motivate people to start businesses, take risks, and follow their dreams.

Moreover, there are many positive examples of individuals who have realized their personal American Dream, like successful entrepreneurs, politicians, scientists, artists, and others who inspire new generations to believe that success is possible, no matter their background.

However, there are also reasons to question whether the American Dream is still realistic for everyone. Just because a person is educated, qualified, or hardworking does not automatically guarantee success. Many people face structural barriers that limit their chances.

There is still a lack of equal opportunities, especially for some minorities, when it comes to participation, recognition, and fair treatment. Many citizens do not feel economically or personally safe, and minorities are still underrepresented in high political or economic positions.

The gap between rich and poor continues to grow, and this also affects immigrant communities. Unemployment, homelessness, and poverty are especially common among certain minority groups, making it more difficult for them to reach a better standard of living. Additionally, some important achievements of the past, such as voting rights or affirmative action policies, are currently under threat due to political resistance or changing laws. This creates uncertainty about the future of equal opportunity in the U.S.

In conclusion, the American Dream is still possible, but it is not equally accessible for everyone. While many structures exist to support people in achieving success, there are still major social, political, and economic challenges that stand in the way. As Padilla says, the Dream needs people who are willing to fight for it and in today’s society, that fight is more important than ever.

3.2

Blog Entry: Between Hope and Pressure – Why Immigrants Still Choose the U.S.

Hi everyone,

During this week’s session at our international summer school on immigration, we were asked to reflect on a cartoon recently published on our blog. The image shows the U.S.-Mexican border, with one side, the side of Mexico and Central America, filled with words like “desperation”, “crime”, “climate change” and “persecution”, highlighting the push factors that drive people to leave their home countries. On the U.S. side, words like “xenophobia”, “fear” and “political gridlock” represent the challenges immigrants still face after crossing the border. The cartoon is titled “Border Pressures,” suggesting that pressure exists on both sides, but also hints that life in the U.S. might still be the lesser of two burdens.

So, how attractive is the U.S. as a destination for immigrants today?

Despite the risks and difficulties shown in the cartoon, the U.S. continues to be a country that offers hope to many. For millions of immigrants, it represents a chance to pursue the American Dream and the idea of building a better life through hard work. The U.S. also promises greater civil and human rights, especially for people fleeing violence, poverty, and unstable governments.

Another pull factor is the need for both skilled and unskilled labor. This means that immigrants may have employment opportunities, especially in sectors like agriculture, construction, healthcare, and technology. Since the U.S. is a diverse country with a high percentage of immigrants, it is often easier to find communities of people in similar situations, which makes settling in less isolating.

Languages also play a role: while English is dominant, Spanish is widely spoken, especially in states like California, Texas, and Florida. This language accessibility can help immigrants adapt more quickly. In addition, the U.S. is a global leader in science, media, and education, and programs like the Green Card system provide legal paths for studying, working, or even settling permanently.

The U.S. also offers more political stability and personal safety than many countries in South and Central America. This is especially important for people escaping persecution, corruption, or extreme poverty.

However, the fading appeal of the U.S. for some immigrants cannot be ignored. The cartoon reminds us that immigrants face serious challenges, even after arriving. Hostility, xenophobia, and political debates around immigration have grown stronger. This has resulted in racial profiling, social division, and even violence against immigrants.

Immigration policies have become more restrictive in recent years, making it harder to enter the country or gain legal status. Undocumented immigrants often live in precarious conditions, with limited access to healthcare or social benefits, and are at constant risk of exploitation or deportation. The stress of living without citizenship or protection can be overwhelming and leaves many feeling unsafe.

In conclusion, the U.S. remains a land of opportunity for many people around the world. But the journey is full of challenges, and the dream is not guaranteed. The cartoon reminds us of the pressures immigrants face on both sides of the border, but also why, despite everything, so many still believe the U.S. is worth the risk.

What do you think about this?

Looking forward to reading your thoughts and hearing about other perspectives!

Best,

Curtis Butler