Immigrants in America played an important role in shaping the America we know. These individuals have had to settle for discrimination, prejudice and a less than warm welcome. For many, it took generations for them to become an accepted part of our society. Two of these groups were Irish and Jewish immigrants. These immigrants suffered hardships in their home countries, migrated to America where they perhaps endured various hardships, but ultimately became an accepted part of our society by most. The Irish were among the first group of immigrants referred to as the "old wave" or "old immigration" of the early 19th century; however, the Irish presence dates back to colonial times in America (Schaefer, 2012). Compared to the "old wave", the Irish emigrated to America in search of a better quality of life. In their homeland, they were experiencing the ripple effect due to the industrial revolution. Unemployment increased as machines introduced into production decreased the need for people. In essence, the industrial revolution was taking away the long-established lifestyle of many. Most Irish immigrants came to America with little education or skills. They were a willing and hardworking population. Upon arrival, they settled in cities where they could find work providing the unskilled labor needed to advance the Industrial Revolution in America. Interestingly, the Industrial Revolution was both a push and pull factor for the Irish. Where it displaced them in their home countries, the industrial revolution provided them with livelihoods in the host country. Irish immigrants created safe havens within cities that provided “miniature social worlds…. solidari...... middle of paper ...... Jewish immigrants did not “enter the traditional employment structure at the grassroots, as groups of immigrant workers tended to do. They used the resources generated by early generation entrepreneurship to gain access to prestigious and advantaged social class positions” (Healey, 2012, p. 60). These two immigrant groups have established themselves in our culture in different ways. They have suffered discrimination and prejudice and today they are accepted and united “immigrant descendants with the dominant group…” (Healey, 2012, p. 82). Works CitedHealey, Joseph. (2012). From immigrants to ethnic whites. Race, ethnicity, gender, and class: The sociology of group conflict and change. (6th ed., pp. 53-82). Thousand Oaks, CA: Pine Forge PressSchaefer, R. (ed.). (2012). Racial and ethnic groups. (13th ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Education.