Immigrants in Urban America Before the end of the 19th century, foreigners immigrated to the United States of America in three major waves (Chudacoff, Smith, & Baldwin, 2015, p.101 ). The reasons for coming to America are immeasurable; however, it can be assumed that the immigrants had become dissatisfied with their homeland. Furthermore, with their reasons they learned habits, behaviors and cultures from their places of birth (Handlin, 1959, p.20). Immigrants learned about the American Dream through information disseminated orally in casual conversations, seeing idealized cheering posters on the decks of immigrant ships, and reading letters from relatives and friends already living in America. How did the immigrants do it? The first wave occurred between 1840 and 1880. The second wave occurred starting in 1880, peaked around 1910, and declined after 1924, when U.S. legislation stopped the unlimited influx. Finally, the third wave began in 1965 with reform legislation, strengthened in the 1990s, and continues today (Chudacoff, et al, 2015, p101). The ethnicity of immigrants in the first and second waves consisted of five main groups; German and Irish Catholics, English Protestants, Germans and Scandinavians. Immigrants often relied on a process of “chain migration” in which early arrivals sent information and money home to ensure passage for family and friends to the New World. Many immigrants were unable to pass the port of arrival due to lack of money. They would use previously learned skills to find immediate employment. Many immigrants branched out to various cities across the United States seeking immediate opportunities. It was not unusual for an entire family to work together to earn enough money to pay a family member who wanted to immigrate to America. The practice of one family member moving forward, securing their place in America, and then saving money to bring other family members to America was common. Nearly 95 percent of immigrants arriving at Ellis Island joined friends or family. Prepaid tickets were popular: in 1890 between twenty-five and fifty percent of all immigrants coming to America owned prepaid tickets. Then in 1901 between 40 and 65 percent came from money sent from the United States