The first generation immigrants usually make the decision to leave their homeland and move to America in hopes that they can provide a better environment where their children and future generations can succeed; Enrique Castillo’s father, for example, was one such case.

Born in Jalisco, Mexico, Castillo’s father dreamed of coming to Los Angeles to become an actor. ‘That,’ says his son, a writer, accomplished actor and member of the Latino Theater Lab, ‘is my genetic memory pushing me on.’ Castillo’s dad found more accessible work instead as a field hand, and he insisted that his two sons jo

In fact as a result of the lack of education and skill, first generation parents who usually move to this country in hopes to begin a life are found stuck in low-wage jobs that give them little hope for improving their lifestyles. This negatively affects the lives of their families which they value a lot. According to U.S. Representative Lamar Smith (R-Texas), who heads the House Immigration Subcommittee, “the number of low-skilled, blue-collar jobs is not increasing very quickly, and the more competition we have for low-skilled Americans the more we end up costing them jobs and depressing their wages” (McDonnell “Border Crackdown Paradox Studied” 2). With large amounts of first generation immigrants making the decision to come to America in hopes of improving the lives of future generations, they sacrifice their own lives by accepting low-skilled, low-wage jobs that give them little, if any hopes of improving their careers. “Legions now compete here in an increasingly tight low-wage labor market and face limited prospects for advancement” (McDonnell “Immigration Study Urges New Curbs and Criteria” 1). According to McDonnell, immigrants, especially the unskilled and uneducated, first-generation seem to be in a bind because they are stuck in the jobs that pay low-wages since tons of them are taking all the work available. The wages of the unskilled workers are depressing because they are so low and thus limit the type of lifestyle one is allowed to live. Seeing that most first generation immigrant parents make the move to America for the betterment of future generations, it seems reasonable to say that they probably find the assimilation process stressful due to their inability to provide such great lives for their children due to their restrictions in the job market.

in him so they would learn to appreciate the value of education. ‘He was a very disciplined individual,’ recalls Castillo, 43, of his late father. ‘He always wanted the best’ (George 4).

Coming to the rescue of first and second generation immigrants assimilating to America are the 1.5 generation. For example, one solution to the language barriers that immigrant families face seems to be the 1.5ers. The 1.5ers are a transitional generation of immigrants who spend a good amount of time in one country, but do the bulk of their growing up in the United States. 1.5ers are bilingual and show a considerable understanding of both American and homeland cultures “because they have been educated here, speak English, are savvy to all things American” (Quintanilla 1). The 1.5 generation has the ability to translate for parents who cannot effectively communicate with their second generation children, and can also help second generation immigrants adapt to mainstream society. Furthermore, they promote homeland culture; for example, 1.5er Charles Kim, execu

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