“The New Colossus” by Emma Lazarus

Introduction

Emma Lazarus, an American author, wrote her outstanding sonnet “The New Colossus” (1883) portraying the role and status of immigrants in the ‘freest’ country ever, i.e., the United States of America. The poem talks about hopes, promises, and aspirations for immigrants in the USA which can be achieved by all means. Admittedly, the author depicts the Statue of Liberty. In the following passages, Lazarus wrote: “A mighty woman with a torch, whose flame/Is the imprisoned lightning, and her name/Mother of Exiles” (line 4-6). The author is deemed to be among the first people who valued the statue’s main role – welcoming those who seek shelter, shield, and prosperity during a lifespan. The Mother of Exiles holds the torch which is visible for everybody fleeing to America for searching sanctuary. This woman will not humiliate or get rid of them, but the opposite – she will embrace and save them from anything negative.

Immigration is a long and challenging process for the majority of people. Some waves were successful, whereas others were not whatsoever. Though Emma Lazarus promised everyone goodness and soundness in the USA, these beliefs have altered over the years due to political and economic matters. Throughout decades, one can witness the shift of promises for immigrants from various countries. Indeed, the Statue of Liberty promotes freedom, prosperity, and warmness but the real question lies in the state-of-the-art American community. Today, immigrants fail to gain these hopes and promises, though they still look at this torch of the Mother that has continually been there for any flee. Even though the sonnet The New Colossus by Emma Lazarus gave a plethora of thoughts, perceptions, and promises for immigrants across the globe, the United States of America is likely to fail than live them up; or is it so?

How Did America Live Up?

It is no wonder that the United States is one of the most common immigration spots for various peoples. Everything started from the colonial times centuries ago, but it would be much better to bring out the recent situations since it is XXI century, not XIX. Every year a vast majority of nations immigrate to the States hoping to find an idyll and better life. Notably, America provides a lot of opportunities for different countries, namely green-card and sanctuary cities in some states. Green card has become the most popular hope and aspiration for individuals to be a legal citizen. Every year the American government conducts a lottery, and after some months they choose a lucky man or woman to join the country on legal terms. For instance, during the 2000s, the USA issued more than 33 million green cards for entirely various nations – from Ukraine to the Philippines. Even during Barack Obama’s presidency, he made the entire process much more accessible, which increased the chances for immigration.

Even if the immigrants came illegally just to find a shelter and shield, they could normally live in sanctuary cities. It is a city that adopted the policy to defend illegal immigrants without prosecution. Admittedly, illegal immigrants in such places can significantly benefit the government, and it is one of the reasons why the USA should protect them and do not deport unless they commit crimes. For example, a kid is being kidnapped by some offenders, and an illegal immigrant sees it. Without any freight and hesitation, he/she can call the police and report this distressing situation without deportation. The federal enforcement actions and immigration policies help immigrants to feel safe and sound in some cases.

Though immigrants face a long and challenging process and steps for getting into the USA, some of them can radically change their lives to the fullest. Fate also plays a vital role in everything, but according to immigrants’ statements, interviews, and stories, sooner or later they can find a good job, welfare, and happiness living in the country of liberty.

How Did America Fail?

Every single day American immigrants are more and more prone to be less lucky in finding shelter and prosperity within the USA. If one looks at the status of immigrants there, one will notice a significant difference between the past and the present. Even the future seems daunting and vague for every human being in the country. Though the White House tended to expand immigration policies to benefit immigrants’ lives and well-being, today is a challenging time for all of them due to new enforcement laws and regulations enacted by the Senate. With Donald Trump’s current presidency, more people face a bunch of refusals, obstacles, and pain in immigrating to the United States. Anti-Muslim law, the wall with Mexico, and the separation of families among illegal immigrants are key points in the contemporary immigration’s reforms. The majority of people have gotten an enormously terrible fear of possible deportation, accordingly to Trump’s laws and policies. If before families could easily unite regarding visa procedures, now they are being separated under upgraded regulations. Hence, it becomes apparent that life is getting way too complicated and shattering for immigrants.

The current government even ruined the idea of sanctuary cities. According to the Tenth Amendment of the US Constitution, sanctuary policies are legal. However, they are likely to vanish down the line. Trump’s attention and focus shifted to immigration and all minorities living in the United States.  The American president considers them as ‘criminal’ and ‘terrible’ places which give nothing but shame and high rate of offenses to the country. If the past policies aimed at toughening enforcement actions to protect illegal immigrants and promoting the real initiative of a liberalized state, now sanctuary cities are prone to lose their core meaning and vision for the USA.

Throughout American history, immigrants have been welcomed. It implies that there were a wide array of ways and opportunities for nations to enter the USA without biases and problems, but now the chances have lowered up to 75%. The liberalized country focused on immigration policies and favorable options for immigrants to feel safe and sound. As a result, different nations have built America as it is today. Most couples are racially mixed, and their children are not pure Americans. Bill Clinton, George W. Bush, Barack Obama and others aimed at expanding their borderlines and opportunities for every human being, but now immigrants are gradually falling apart and being shut down by new rules and regulations. The Statue of Liberty is not ‘welcoming’ immigrants, but the sign of Great Nation (i.e., Americans), according to POTUS’s ideas and worldview.

It is somewhat significant to reconsider the new immigration laws, foreign policies, and the overall strategic system of the United States. Since the country has been a well-known place for milliards of peoples, it will remain so till the end. Various nations come to the States for one thing – to seek a better life, but the question lies in whether the USA is genuinely influential and beneficial for immigrants according to the recent situations. Therefore, it is unclear what is going to happen in the nearest future, but perhaps, Donald Trump will try all means to avoid new waves of immigrants and make up new immigration policies to make life harder for existing immigrants.

Conclusion

Life is full of surprises, and it is impossible to foresee the future. One day, everything is smooth and excellent; on the following up – the entire world might fall apart. Notably, compared with the previous decades and well-structured policies, immigration was more accessible for different peoples. The initial target was seeking a new and better life, prospering, and developing selves. However, time is continually evolving, and immigration is getting harder and more challenging due to new rules and regulations.

It is distressing to realize that life depends on some policies and laws. The immigration process is not successful and simple as before; instead, it is way more puzzling for everyone now. Notwithstanding, there is still hope that the Statue of Liberty will be reborn once again and relive all hopes, promises, and perspectives for immigrants seeking a new level of life in the United States of America. Emma Lazarus promoted freedom and happiness for every human being fleeing to America. In The New Colossus, promises were made for all immigrants seeking shelter and protection from anything. Indeed, some promises came true a long time ago, but some are reversing. Today immigrants rarely see the United States as a beneficial place for them, and they no longer see the Mother of Exiles as the beacon and guide for a prosperous life. 

Works Cited

Lazarus, Emma. The New Colossus. Library of Congress, 1883, www.loc.gov/poetry/poetry-of-america/american-identity/aliciaostriker-emmalazarus.html

The terms offer and acceptance. (2016, May 17). Retrieved from

[Accessed: March 28, 2024]

"The terms offer and acceptance." freeessays.club, 17 May 2016.

[Accessed: March 28, 2024]

freeessays.club (2016) The terms offer and acceptance [Online].
Available at:

[Accessed: March 28, 2024]

"The terms offer and acceptance." freeessays.club, 17 May 2016

[Accessed: March 28, 2024]

"The terms offer and acceptance." freeessays.club, 17 May 2016

[Accessed: March 28, 2024]

"The terms offer and acceptance." freeessays.club, 17 May 2016

[Accessed: March 28, 2024]

"The terms offer and acceptance." freeessays.club, 17 May 2016

[Accessed: March 28, 2024]
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