(This photo of immigrants in 1910 is from the Library of Congress.)The United States is a nation of immigrants (and the descendants of immigrants). That is just a fact.
Those immigrants were a brave and hardy bunch, willing to brave many dangers and obstacles to get here -- and they were willing to work hard once they got here. Many of them knew they weren't welcome, and would have to take the worst jobs available just to survive while suffering discrimination from those who came before. But they came anyway -- and they made this a better country for everyone.
The myth is that those were "legal" immigrants. The truth is that many, if not most, we're not. They came any way they could, whether welcome or not. They came for a better life -- a bit of freedom, and the opportunity to provide more for their families than they could in their home countries. And in spite of the hardships and discrimination, they found that in this country.
Are today's immigrants any different? NO! They come from Mexico and Central America, from Africa, and from the Middle East. And they take great risks to get here for the same reasons that immigrants of the past did. They want freedom and the opportunity to provide a little better for their families -- and they are willing to work the most dangerous, the dirtiest, and the lowest-paying jobs when they get here.
Donald Trump tells us they are criminals, terrorists, murderers, rapists, and gang members. That is a lie! And it shames the beautiful poem gracing the foundation of our Statue of Liberty.
Just like in the past, these are just the kind of people this country needs -- brave, hardy, decent, honest, and willing to work hard to achieve success (for themselves and their new country). We should be embracing them. We need them, and they will make this country better.
