As of 2025, the United States of America consists of more than 47.3 million immigrants. Out of the 47.3 million, 47.2 million of those people come here with absolutely nothing and are forced to start over. Many seek asylum, religious freedom, political freedom, education, and many other freedoms they have never experienced. Today, ethnic groups seem to face discrimination- whether or not they are immigrants. This is the harsh reality of coming from a different country. The United States promises to be the land of the free, but as these people continue to search for freedom, they are faced with more adversities than accomplishments. In states such as California, Oregon, Florida, and New York- common states in which there is a large immigrant population- these groups of people are forced to live in poverty. With no resources offered, immigrants must find a way to fend for themselves, get their families ahead in education and jobs, and find a way to make money for an acceptable standard of living. 3 of 4 immigrants have been forced to live in poor conditions. Whether that be having an entire family living in a bedroom or near homelessness.
The popular and rising social media app TikTok has been used as a source to document and see the true reality of immigrants. User @pubity documented a video of an immigrant woman selling ice cream on a New York subway. Since many of those who come to America with only a beacon of hope have no work visa and/or license, they are forced to work under strange conditions that can be harmful to them or seen by the common American as an unusual way of making income. Likewise, it is common to see many walking with their children selling flowers, candy, or other goods and services daily to find a way to bring in some money. At the end of the day, all of this hard work and sacrifice is still not enough to maintain an average standard of living in the United States. This is the harsh reality of achieving the “American dream”.