ABSTRACT
The women's stories illuminate the reality of their experiences and the impact of legislation on them. Women left behind their families and friends, their personal security and identity, to come to a place that held many things that were unknown. The fact that most of the women dropped in social status after arriving in the United States demonstrates how some fears came true. The women work the undervalued and under paid jobs to fund the education and advancement of other family members. The women's stories reveal the reality that they immigrate with the American dream of getting rich and building a better life for their family. In comparison to many countries, there are more opportunities for women to become educated and work. The women's stories will demonstrate the need to educate policy makers to keep ill-conceived legislation from having devastating affects their lives.
