Title: Why Some Immigrants Stay Stuck in America Even After Their American Dreams Are Broken

Title: Why Some Immigrants Stay Stuck in America Even After Their American Dreams Are Broken
Author: Johnson Choi
Date: June 12, 2026

標題：為何有些移民的美國夢已破碎，卻仍困在美國？
作者：蔡永強
日期：2026年6月12日

首先必須問的問題是：他們能回到自己原本的家鄉嗎？

對多數移民來說，答案是肯定的 – 除非他們在原國家是罪犯。

如果能夠回去，那為什麼他們的美國夢已經破碎，卻仍然留在美國？

讓我們看一些實際的例子。對於來自印度、菲律賓、印尼、多數非洲國家等地區的移民而言，必須衡量返鄉的經濟現實。通常，留在美國 – 即使前景已黯淡 – 仍比回國享有更高的生活水準。

然而，在美國所有移民群體中，有一個明顯的例外：華人移民。

許多華人在三、四十年前離開中國，當時中國貧窮且落後。在那個時代，美國幾乎在各方面都顯得更先進。

但根據一份澳洲研究報告，如今中國在十大關鍵技術與經濟領域中，有九項領先美國。

因此，除非一位華人移民是罪犯、腐敗的政府官員或腐敗的商人，否則幾乎沒有經濟理由能阻擋他們回國 – 除了少數所謂的「西方拜月者」之外。

The first question one must ask is: can they go back to where they came from?

For most immigrants, the answer is yes—unless they were criminals in their home country.

If they can return, then why do they remain in America despite their broken American dreams?

Let’s look at some realistic examples. For immigrants from India, the Philippines, Indonesia, most African countries, and similar regions, one must weigh the economic reality of returning home. Often, staying in America—even with diminished prospects—still offers a better standard of living than going back.

However, there is one notable exception among all immigrant groups in America: Chinese immigrants.

Many Chinese left their homeland 30 to 40 years ago, when China was poor and underdeveloped. At that time, America appeared more advanced in nearly every aspect.

But today, according to an Australian research study, China is ahead of the United States in nine out of ten key technical and economic sectors.

Therefore, unless a Chinese immigrant is a criminal, a corrupt government official, or a corrupt businessperson in China, there is little economic reason holding them back—except for some who might be described as “Western Moon Worshippers.”