Source 1

Surviving or Thriving?

MLA

Popal, Farhat. “Surviving or Thriving? What It Takes for Immigrants to Succeed.” George W. Bush Presidential Center, Dec. 2021, www.bushcenter.org/catalyst/state-of-the-american-dream/popal-what-it-takes-to-make-it-in-america.

SUMMARY

The article discusses the challenges immigrants face when arriving in a new country, especially in the U.S., and the sudden changes they must make in their lives. It also explains how new generations of immigrant families grow up in this country while maintaining the cultural traditions passed down by their parents. The text presents the case of a young woman who is the daughter of immigrants and part of the first generation born outside her parents’ home country, highlighting the difficulties her parents experienced as they adapted to a new language, new laws, and different cultural practices. Ultimately, the article highlights that although many immigrants achieve success, they must overcome numerous obstacles, as success is particularly challenging for them to attain.

RHETORICAL ANALYSIS 

This article was written by Farhat Popal, who is the daughter of immigrants and part of the first generation born in the U.S. She grew up with cultural differences between American society and her parents’ traditions. The audience is immigrants, as the article shares stories about the experiences immigrants have to go through. Her purpose is to explain how the immigrant community feels when coming to another country. The evidence she uses includes the experiences she had with her parents and the laws that affect people from other countries. In conclusion, she uses a critical and informative tone to expose the harmful impact these challenges create.

HOW I WILL USE THIS SOURCE 

I will use this source to explain that the immigrant community should have more opportunities in jobs, education, and legal protections. They arrive with many dreams, not only for themselves but also for their children. Lastly, I will explain that they deserve the same treatment as the people from this country.

Source 2

“The Fight for Immigrant Students’ Education”: Policies, Barriers, and What’s at Stake”

MLA

American Immigration Council Staff. “The Fight for Immigrant Students’ Education: Policies, Barriers, and What’s at Stake  – American Immigration Council.” American Immigration Council, 13 May 2025, www.americanimmigrationcouncil.org/blog/the-fight-for-immigrant-students/.

SUMMARY

This article discusses the challenges immigrant students face under the Trump Administration, explaining how students begin to feel afraid of going to school because of the enforcement operations taking place. Children feel that they do not deserve this and that laws should be fair for everyone, whether they come from another country or were born in the United States. Some states have already taken measures to reduce the fear students experience and to ensure they can continue pursuing their dreams of education, regardless of their immigration status.

RHETORICAL ANALYSIS 

The article was written by Jojo Tompkins, who is part of the American Immigration Council. He explains how he believes the administration is creating fear among students who are trying to pursue their dreams, build careers, and complete their studies successfully. He intends for the audience to be all people in this country so they can understand what is happening to children who are discriminated against solely because of their immigration status. His purpose is to make the American community aware of what children—who are just beginning their lives and educational paths—are experiencing. The tone he uses is informative and calm, aiming for the laws and the public to recognize what is happening to people who migrate from other countries.  

HOW I WILL USE THIS SOURCE 

I will use this source as one of the most important to show how children are feeling and how they need to be protected by the law rather than discriminated against for an immigration status they did not choose. It also highlights the need for their fear to be replaced with joy, and their tears with laughter.

Source 3 

Y Ahora Qué?

MLA

McWhirter, E. H., Ramos, K., & Medina, C. (2013). Y Ahora Qué? Anticipated Immigration Status Barriers and Latina/o High School Students’ Future Expectations. Cultural Diversity & Ethnic Minority Psychology, 19(3), 288–297. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0031814

SUMMARY

This article discusses the number of migrant students who come from other countries to study in a foreign nation. Many of them complete high school here and later move on to college, where they choose the career of their dreams. However, for some of them, it is not easy to make the decision to pursue a degree because of their immigration status and because, for many, the financial resources are not sufficient.  

RHETORICAL ANALYSIS

The authors of this article are McWhirter Ellen, Ramos Karina, and Medina Cynthia. They wanted to focus on how migrant students have limited opportunities in universities and the challenges they face when pursuing the degrees they dream of. The intended audience is everyone, but especially students who sometimes have to give up their dreams because financial aid is either unavailable or not applicable to them. The purpose of these authors is to show the obstacles that foreign students must overcome due to their immigration status and economic situation.

HOW I WILL USE THIS SOURCE 

To express that foreign students work hard to earn a degree while being fully aware of all the challenges they face. Their degree will be achieved with great pride and effort.