Through the voices of real people, this book tells the complex history and present experience of Italian immigration in the United States. Italian immigrants have helped shape the United States since the "Great Arrival" in the 1880s, when over 4 million settled in America. Despite challenges in their new homeland, including discrimination and exploitation, Italian immigrants have made important contributions to America's economy and culture. Drawing on both primary and secondary sources, Italian Immigrants in the United States reveals the powerful stories of people who found the courage to build a new life.