Immigration: The Tale of One Group

Immigration is a hot topic these days. I thought I would share in this blog the odyssey of a young group of legal immigrants, who arrived in America during the mid 1950’s.

Just the facts, man, just the facts …

The group consisted of ten young men, all from the same town, a hillside village in Sicily, with a population of about 4,000 souls. They started to arrive in America, legally, at different times during 1950s. There were 10 of them. All were in their mid to late teens.

All but two dropped out of high school.

Four of the ten came from a single parent household.

Three of them enlisted in the military.

One went on to get bachelor, master and doctoral degrees.

Five went on to learn a trade.

They all learned how to speak English within a year or so.

Eight out of ten married women of Sicilian descend.

All of the young men came from closely-knit families -- shared the same values, work ethic, and traditions. Although they all came from the same town, they hardly knew one another back in Sicily. They came to a small New England town, where 1/3 of its population had roots in the very same town the young men had left behind. It was in this New England town that they met and formed lasting friendships.

They were taught to love America, to fit in, and to pledge allegiance to their new country.  They all became U.S. citizens.

They would socialize during weekends. Some becoming life-long close friends.

Not one was ever on welfare.

Not one was ever on unemployment.

One retired early due to disability.

Six started their own businesses.

They all took pride in one another’s accomplishments.

Fast forward to 2015 …

Sixty years later, this is where the group is.

Four became millionaires.

Four reached middle class.

Two did not rise from working class.

Those still alive are all retired or semi-retired.

Two still work in spite of their advanced age.

Three passed away from a variety of ills.

Five now live … in California, Texas, New Jersey, or Nevada.

They remain grateful for the opportunity to come to America.

So what …

There is a difference between legal and illegal immigration. Those who came here legally did not have to hide. They needed not fear to be scooped up in a raid and deported. They could lead a more tranquil life and plan their future.

The waiting time for immigrants from Southern Europe during the 1950’s was five or more years, due to the annual quota of 30,000. A small number did jump ship and entered illegally.

Although immigration from Southern Europe was deemed less desirable, they endured the abuse and earned their way.

Sponsors were held responsible for five years for the economic wellbeing of the newly arrived. They were not eligible for government assistance until they became citizens.