Bishop analyzes the popularity of the internet as a means of communication for undocumented immigrants. It seems that although the internet improves communication, it doesn’t seem to physically connect undocumented immigrants. The study revealed undocumented immigrants as activists who shape the view of immigration policy for the future.
Stemming from the basis of this essay, I wondered how the internet has affected the rate of immigration as a whole. Hundreds of years in the past, information was simply spread by word of mouth. A brother would move to America, and then pay to bring in his wife and children while telling his brothers and sisters to move here as well. Immigration was a domino effect. Overall, the information spread about America were likely more exaggerated than they actually were. I’ve heard countless personal anecdotes about immigrants falsifying the idea of the “American dream,” and how it is still difficult to gain any success in this country. As we factor in social prejudice, it is even harder for immigrants to thrive in America.
The greater connectivity associated with the internet may be directly decreasing the rate of contemporary immigration. Along with current politics, it seems as though experiences for undocumented immigrants are getting worse and worse. Writings about unfair treatment, health-related issues, sexual assault, all the while living in fear and having no one to turn to, spread throughout the internet. I’m sure the conditions experienced by immigrants before the internet was likely equal if not worse, but with this powerful new podium, their voices are louder. And, their voices seem to be saying “stay back!” Of course, it is vital that their voices be heard, and the internet has held a positive impact in that regard. The strengthening of conservative politics and (in my opinion) negative impacts on immigration have become more known throughout the world. It seems that the enticing factors that America once held are diminishing.
I couldn’t find much information about the direct impact of social media/internet vs immigration, but according to the information provided from (http://www.pewhispanic.org/2015/09/28/chapter-5-u-s-foreign-born-population-trends/) immigration is still increasing, but its rate of change is decreasing. Based on the ongoing pattern we can predict the possibility of a decline in the percentage of foreign-born populations vs the whole population in the future. Another notable piece of information I found, was that the overall approval rating for America by other countries is steadily declining.
