http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/americanexperience/features/general-article/tcrr-cprr/
The link above gives the truth about who truly built the transcontinental railroad that impacted our nation so greatly. Most of the workers who helped build this dangerous project were Irish and Chinese immigrants. The work was dangerous, hard labor, yet they were only paid $27-$35 per month. Even with the large amount of romanticism and success that came from the transcontinental railroad, to this day their contributions are barely recognized.
This theme of unacceptance and close-mindedness towards immigrants is still seen today. While 13% of our population, and 17% of our workforce today are immigrants, it is still a topic of extremely differing views. President Trump has "promised" our country to rid it of these "dangerous" immigrants, enforcing travel bans and inspiring hate and discrimination across the country. Many immigrants today work minimum wage job, earning only $7.25 per hour, while most must settle with under the table work, earning far less money. Their lives here are not glamours, and they are not trying to steal our jobs as the media may suggest, they are simply trying to survive and provide for their families in a country they believed provided hope. Perhaps America should worry less on what the media says, and focus on how immigrants have supported and helped improve our country by doing the hard or less paying jobs we would never accept.
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