July 4, the United States of America Celebrates 250 Years of Independence
The land of opportunity that made many dreams a reality. Where we found the most beautiful things that made our lives easier. From household items to space technologies, the USA’s dominance is prominent. But is it still the independent United States of America we know? Day by day, things have declined, turning the land of opportunity into a nightmare for millions.
Is the United States Still an Independent Nation?
The United States of America has always been considered a land of liberty and freedom. A land where the dreams of many foreigners were achieved. Where true democracy was believed to be practiced. In terms of a true democratic system or society, the USA is not a full democracy. The history of the United States is filled with many incidents of brutality toward its own citizens. Immigrant violence is not part of this count. The Black Lives Matter movement is one of the most prominent recent examples. They got a Black president, but things are still on the verge of worsening.
Over two and a half centuries, they have never had a female head of state despite having many strong women. The nation that has always claimed to be the caretaker of democracy and peace has never been officially ruled by a woman. This is the biggest slap to one of the world’s most independent nations, while Kamala Harris was one of the biggest political candidates, along with Hillary Clinton. But neither of them succeeded in winning the general election to end the 250-year political drought. Maybe in the coming years, we will see the end of this drought with Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Jasmine Crockett’s growing presence in the political landscape.
Once the Land of Opportunity, How Did It Become a Nightmare?
Following the second tenure of Donald Trump, the world witnessed one of the worst versions of the USA, where a nationwide crackdown erupted along with the harshest side of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). During the first 500 days of Trump’s second tenure, the ICE crackdown reportedly resulted in up to 52 deaths. The number itself proved to be a nightmare for people coming to the USA with dreams of a better life and future.
On the other hand, mass deportation is also a concern for immigrants. In fiscal year 2025 alone, ICE reports claimed that 440,000 people were deported to their home countries. This massive number not only shattered the dreams of many people but is now also hurting the US economy, where potential decreases in agriculture, construction, and services have increased labor costs for US citizens.
While many see the role of ICE in a brighter light, arguing that it supports legal immigration, people coming to the US through legal channels will get better opportunities as illegal immigration is restructured. But somewhere, it has affected the historical openness that the US had and the role it played in development.
Can America Still Deliver the Future Once Promised?
In a single word, yes!
The United States is still one of the hottest destinations for students and skilled workers. If you are visiting the United States with all your legal paperwork completed, it will still be the same country it was once for professionals. The opportunities are still there, where one can find some of the highest-paying wages compared to many other first-world countries. But there is still a catch that will raise your eyebrows. Your home country and the passport you are traveling with also play a vital role.
During the FIFA World Cup co-hosted by Mexico, Canada, and the United States, we witnessed one of the most controversial hostings. The incident involving Somali referee Omar Artan raises concerns. Although he was carrying all the legal documents and a valid visa, he was interrogated for 11 hours and denied entry into the USA. Similar things happened to Iraqi players and many people from other African nations.
This was not only the case for Asian and African nationals. Even European teams faced similar situations when German players underwent strict security checks, during which many players had to remove their shoes. One of the biggest names in the football world, Lionel Messi, who also plays in Major League Soccer in the USA, went through a similar security check.
These actions raised the question: Is a valid US visa not enough to gain entry? The Trump administration is still defending everything it has done. But one thing is certain: if it wants to attract more skilled professionals from other corners of the globe, it will have to ease these strict checks. The lack of skilled workers in the United States is proof that Trump should reconsider these policies. Otherwise, the time is near when people will no longer move to the United States.
