A college essay about immigrant parents can be a powerful and personal way for students to explore their own family history and the broader history of immigration to the United States. Here are some key elements that could be included in such an essay, along with sources and URLs to help with research:

Introduction

Start the essay with a personal anecdote or story that introduces the topic of immigrant parents and why it is important to you. This could be a specific memory, a cultural tradition, or a challenge that your family has faced.

Historical background

Provide some historical context for the immigration experiences of your parents or grandparents. Some key topics to explore could include the history of immigration to the United States, the specific circumstances that led your family to immigrate, and the challenges that they faced upon arrival. Some sources and URLs that may be helpful for research include:

• The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) website: https://www.uscis.gov/
• The National Museum of American History's online exhibition on immigration: https://americanhistory.si.edu/topics/immigration
• The Library of Congress' guide to researching immigration: https://www.loc.gov/rr/guide/immigration.html

Cultural identity

Discuss the ways in which your family's immigrant background has influenced your own cultural identity and experiences. This could include topics such as language, food, traditions, or relationships with extended family members. Some sources and URLs that may be helpful for research include:

• The Pew Research Center's report on Hispanic identity in the United States: https://www.pewresearch.org/hispanic/2015/04/09/chapter-1-portrait-of-hispanics-in-the-united-states/
• The National Association for Bilingual Education's resources on bilingualism and language learning: https://www.nabe.org/
• The Smithsonian Folklife Festival's archives on cultural traditions: https://folklife.si.edu/explore

Challenges and resilience

Discuss the challenges that your family has faced as immigrants to the United States, as well as the ways in which they have shown resilience and perseverance. This could include topics such as navigating the immigration system, facing discrimination or xenophobia, or adapting to a new culture. Some sources and URLs that may be helpful for research include:

• The Migration Policy Institute's report on the challenges facing immigrant families: https://www.migrationpolicy.org/research/challenges-facing-immigrant-families
• The American Psychological Association's resources on resilience and mental health: https://www.apa.org/topics/resilience
• The Immigrant Legal Resource Center's resources on immigrant rights: https://www.ilrc.org/

Conclusion

End the essay with a reflection on what you have learned about your family's immigrant history and the broader history of immigration to the United States. Consider the ways in which this history has shaped your own identity and experiences, as well as the broader political and social context of immigration today.

These are just a few possible elements that could be included in a college essay about immigrant parents. Ultimately, the specific content and structure of the essay will depend on the writer's own experiences and perspective.