The New American Immigrant
America prides itself on being a nation of immigrants. The British, Dutch, Spanish, and French colonized this continent. William Penn opened his property to the oppressed of what is now Germany. As new ideas came to pass, new states were formed. Rhode Island grew out of Massachusetts, and Connecticut later. With time and distance, they colonizers left the colonies to their own devices to succeed and move about as they desired. All the colonizers really wanted was resources and taxes. They eventually got greedy, and the Revolution began.
Most Americans have immigrant roots. Most groups of immigrants have had their ethnic hazing - a period when that particular group was looked at with suspicion. A fear was present that an influx of people with different customs would somehow change America.
The Chinese came to build the railroads, were discriminated against, and eventually gained acceptance and prospered. This held for the large influx of Irish, Italian, Poles, Asians of any stripe, and any group not of the WASP (white, Anglo-Saxon, protestant) persuasion. You know, those dead white guys who set up the system. They all came to America, got their cultural hazing of discrimination, and went on to succeed as individuals in an open society.
Most large influxes of immigrants were driven by people who wanted to be here to the exclusion of other considerations. These were often refugees of wars or oppressive governments that sought a better life for themselves and their children. They came in numbers that caused alarm to the WASP population, but they were admitted. Shiploads arrived at Ellis Island in New York, and in San Francisco that were processed. The immigrants set about at becoming Americans.
By becoming Americans, we mean meeting the requirements of their admission to the country. These requirements have always been part of the traditional immigration processing policy of the United States. Immigrants needed to have a sponsor to rely on for help in getting started. Usually this was a relative already here. They were to have a skill or obtain employment immediately. This was due to the fact that our current welfare system did not come into creation until the 1960s.
Immigrants were required to learn English as well as they could, as quickly as possible. It was the language that we spoke. They were required to obey the law. They were required to pay taxes, like everyone else. Failing to fulfill any of these requirements was grounds for deportation.
They were not required to apply for citizenship, but the vast majority did. They needed to pass an American history test as a part of obtaining citizenship. In short, they needed to assimilate.
Until recently, they did, and they succeeded in America. They did it the same way that every other family in America did. They worked hard to improve their circumstances, provide for their families, and make it easier for their children to do well. They did what any family anywhere does. They did what they would have done that in their home country.
In addition, they added the burden of moving halfway around the world, because the best promise of a better life was what America stood for - freedom and prosperity. They asked nothing of America, except to be given the opportunity to live here, and be allowed their "pursuit of happiness".
Times have changed. A new type of immigrant has come to America in small but growing numbers. Instead of assimilating into America, they seek segregation. They demand that we make accommodation to their heritage and practices. They claim that by not accommodating their culture, we are violating their civil rights. They wish to participate in the benefits of America, without becoming American. This has never been a part of our immigration policy.
The motto of the United States is "E Pluribus Unum" - out of many, one. It speaks to every unique individual from whatever circumstance pledging loyalty to the United States, and becoming an American, above all other considerations. To quote George Washington "The name of American, which belongs to you in your national capacity, must always exalt the just pride of patriotism, more than any appellation derived from local discriminations " (Farewell Address, Sept 19, 1796)
We are many individuals, but one nation. We are not one nation divided into ethnic groups. We are not Irish-Americans, Italian-Americans, African-Americans, or Muslim-Americans. Immigrants from Spanish speaking countries eliminate the hyphen and "American" entirely. They are Hispanics, Latinos, or Chicanos.
We are Americans. Hyphenated sub-groupings are the opposite of individual liberty and personal responsibility. It is an entitlement attitude. "We" (pick a sub group) are entitled to "This" (pick your issue) because we were wronged by "You" (those not part of the group).
The mission statement of the United States, The Declaration of Independence, lists the rights bestowed by our Creator as "life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness". The Framers of the Constitution thought up a few more and called them Amendments 1 through 10. Over the years several more were added. As for the rest of it, we as individuals, are supposed to sort it out and play nice.
Nowhere does a right exist that the American culture needs to be subjugated to appease a subgroup. The immigrant has come here, to live. In America. Not the other way around. We have made a lot of accommodations, such as everything being printed in English and Spanish (and Chinese, Korean, Tagalog, Arabic - pick just about any language). A lot of times, it's good business. People buy what they know. It gets the other Americans familiar as well, and allows them to enjoy the world beyond the United States. It was hard to find a Halal store in the United States even 30 years ago - not anymore.
Still the fact remains that the immigrant has come to America. Just as an American traveling abroad may be uncomfortable with his vacation choice, there are people who have immigrated here who may not like it. Not everyone reads the brochure. The option for both is the same - go home. Or pick a different destination, someplace that you are more comfortable with. No one is holding a gun to anyone's head and forcing them to endure a life of torture in America. We have Guantanamo in Cuba for that.
America as a nation is one. The vast majority of our 330 million residents would rather be here than anywhere else in the world. No nation honors individual initiative and liberty with better results than the United States. As always, it is a small and vocal minority that likes to stir up trouble. This has been accelerated by a growing entitlement attitude encouraged by generous social programs.
In the immigration issue, most of the fireworks are coming from those who come here for economic benefit, but who don't really want to become American. They value their heritage and customs above those of America. No one prevents them from continuing those practices in their personal lives or among their social circle, within the bounds of US law. St Patrick's Day, Chinese New Year, Mardi Gras and Diwali are more about heritage than history, yet they have become part of the American fabric. All are free to participate or not as the individual chooses.
The line gets drawn when personal freedoms of private behavior conflict with US law or the rights of others. The United States of America was founded as a society of laws, not men. In the example cited above, having translators or information available in many languages is a courtesy that the United States provides. There is no right to be addressed in an immigrant's native tongue. The only exception is in a court of law. The burden is for it to be established that a defendant can understand his rights and the charges against him. This may require a translator.
There is a call by certain religions to allow substitution of their moral law for our civil law, even if only for their members. This is not even a new debate. It has been addressed in the issues surrounding the founding of the country among various Christian denominations and the Jewish communities of the time. It has been revisited time and time again in the federal court system. Decisions handed down on issues from polygamy to ceremonial drug use have established that civil law trumps religious practice in the public sphere. That principle is at the very core of our nation as it was established.
Common Sense Dictates
We are a diverse people and our strength as a society depends on a constant infusion of new blood, new ideas and new commitment. Historically these 3 needs of the United States have been met by a willing immigrant population anxious to succeed and attain their piece of the American dream. To this day, the vast majority of immigrants arriving on our shores continue to be an asset to the country.
There is a growing number of immigrants, both legal and illegal, with a different agenda. They seek not to commit to and participate in building up their new home, but to take from and undermine it. That is unacceptable. There is a difference between putting out the welcome mat and being a doormat. Common Sense argues that if an immigrant arrives on our shores, and is not committed to the idea of becoming an American and a contributing member of society, that his visa be stamped tourist or temporary, not permanent. Living in America is a privilege, not a right.
RLB
Categories: Immigration, National Sovereignty, Historical perspective
Tags: historical perspective immigration civic responsibility
You're gonna catch it for this. Are we talking Muslims and sharia law, or the illegals who think they belong here even though they never got permission?
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I don't see this as specifically addressing either issue. There seem to be a lot more people showing up for getting the benefits rather than trying to get ahead. We look at welfare and woder how anyone could live on it. In most of the world that amount of money is a lottery ticket. People are coming from places with real poverty. Someone in a plywood shack with no indoor plumbing would be thrilled to live in a tenement in the worst part of any big city. How much of a desire to work would the average American have if the government of where we went to cut us a check for a hundred thousand dollars every month? That's what it's like for a lot of these people.
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What a bunch of bigoted, nativist crap. It's a shame that the only culture you care to have here is Eurocentric. You all need to develop some respect and tolerance for other ways of doing things.
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I see a lot of immigrants, and a good number are hispanic and illegal. I'm a health care provider. Other than the bangers, everyone I see has the attitude that is described in the post. They want to be here, they want to work hard and they want to succeed. I know that they got here the wrong way, bt there has to be something we can do for them.
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Valerie, WTF? This was not about banning immigration. It was about people coming to this country wanting to be a part of the country. He mentioned Diwali, and I'm not even sure what that is. I'm pretty sure that it's not "eurocentric". For me, I have aproblem with people who come over here, live among us, take our citizenship and then try to shoot up Ft. Hood or blow up Time Square. I don't think we should be encouraging that kind of immigrant. Pop your head out of your politcally correct behind and really read the thing instead of just the title.
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While I agree with what this article is saying, one thing kept coming back to my mind...
To me, this is saying that there is only one right way to become a citizen because "that's how it's always been done". And that's not a very good reason for forcing someone to do something your way.
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Seems like a slap at the undocumented workers and the Muslims. It was the system that screwed up with the terrorists, not any great conspiracy to bring down America. To suggest otherwise just feeds the racism.
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This piece conveniently overlooks the forced immigrant - the black slave, who was kept in oppression long after slavery ended. This is an immigrant left behind in his assimilation by the racist attitudes that remained in place moving many, including both Drs. King and those who followed to tear them down. Even today, among all minorities, it is the descendants of Africans who fill the ghettos. More make progress now, but we are not past our "hazing".
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My family came here two generations ago. I'm not sure what the law was back then. My grandfather traveled with the migrants. It was during the depression so there were a lot of "white" people doing work with the Latinos. He worked hard, my grandmother worked hard. They got workable English, but it was never mistaken for a first language. They made sure that their son, my father, graduated high school and got a trade. He was a machinist. He worked hard and got me to work hard as well. With all of that hard work, I was able to get an advanced degree in my field and have a prosperous life. I don't know what to do with the illegals, because I'm not sure what the status of my own family was 80 years ago. I do know that we added to the United States and never expected a handout. I think that is a fair expectation.
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nturner - um, Barack Obama, he's a black guy right? President of the United States? That would put him in charge. Then there's Colin Powell, Condoleeza Rice, Eric Holder, Charlie Rangel, Clarence Thomas, Thurgood Marshall and countless, nameless people in the middle and rich classes. There are more whites on welfare than blacks. I think that the hazing is over. If there are people of African descent left behind, I think that it's more personal responsibility than society locking them out.
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Look, I don't know what is right as far as what has always been. I don't have a great answer about slavery except it seems like we should be past that by now. My family has been here since the late 1600s and we never owned slaves. Sorry about the bozos in the south. I don't even know how to address Carlos, except welcome aboard. The common sense thing to me is if you come here to live, it should be to contribute. If you're coming here to be a leech or to bomb Times Square, stay the hell where you are. We don't want you.
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I'm just tired of the illegals protesting and saying that we are in the wrong for making people go through a process to get here. If you show up illegal in Mexico you go to jail for 2 years and pay a $10,000 fine. Still, we're supposed to welcome them. That's a major double standard.
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We have a large problem with illegals here, but most of them are law-abiding (except for the sneaking across the border part). If we could just jump on the ones who engage in crime here (drug trafficking, human smuggling, gangs) it would help. Ideally everyone should come in legally, but if that's not going to happen at least get rid of the troublemakers.
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Seriously, illegal is illegal - whether it's dealing drugs or just showing up here. They all need to be prosecuted. If you tolerate the small crimes, the big ones multiply. The criminals use the weakness in our border enforcement against us We need Giuliani enforcement. Prosecute the little stuff and it prevents the larger problems..
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I'd like to see this argument from the perspective of the Native Americans. I'm sure they are sorry about their open border policy.
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I don't think this has anything to do with HOW people get here, but WHY. We want hard working people who will love America and add to it. If we get that I really don't care how they get here. It the ones who come to sponge of of us, or who want to do acts of terrorism that we don't want - even the ones who come legally.
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That would be fun - telling us all to go back to Europe. It's a shame that the socialists wrecked it already. Paris used to be a nice town. Of course they have their own immigration problem, and I'm not much for the ladies walking around in tents. What do they do at the beach?
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London too, ampman. Now all of their engineering students get arrested on planes after unsuccessfully blowing them up.
From my view as an immigrant (permanent resident) I agree with the article. I came here to work and to get a better life for my family. I work here, pay taxes here and supervise 300 American employees. My firm is London based, and London as well as much of England is not what it used to be. I've heard that multiculturalism is the surest route to cripple a functioning society. With the good dose of socialism that Labor has dumped on us over the years, the US is looking a lot more like the UK used to look. The US is starting to slide down that slippery path though. It would be sad to see such a vibrant, creative society make the same mistakes that killed the UK.
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I agree that there is a huge difference between being a welcome mat and a doormat. We do have to protect our country and make sure that we are welcoming people who want to embrace America and not destroy it.
Candace
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Well said Candace. I agree that there should be a process, and that the illegal aliens need to "get in line". I don't know how exactly to accomplish that. The other side of the coin is the idea of embracing America. If a person is just coming here to cash in and not contribute, or become part of the culture, I don't see a good reason for letting him in. It is time for us to get rid of all of those hyphens.
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Modoman, I'm just curious. If the England is so bad, and you are living and working here anyway, why not apply for citizenship?
On immigration, I really think that all of this cultural categorizing is what is screwing up American society in general. It started out innocently enough in trying to make up ground in the wake of the civil rights movement. Now every possible group of people is claiming discrimination and demanding a set aside or special privileges. It made a mess, and we're suffering for it now. I would like to see our society function like the military. The uniform and rank are all that matters, not the skin color or any other consideration. What should matter in society is being an American, your heritage should not matter.
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Unless. of course, you're gay.
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This is where it's going. Peiople fired over political correctness for speaking truth. The libs are even turning on their own
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/39776222/ns/politics/
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The DREAM act is back - allowing the children of illegal imigrants benefits for college. Of course American kids have to fight for an ever shrinking pool of financial aid for college. I like the Republican proposal better - eliminate anchor babies.
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Islam is the unnamed elephant in the room that nobody is brave enough to name...... Not certain religions..... Only one religion...Islam the cult of death and misery.....Name your enemy and you might just have a small chance of vanquishing it. Hide behind politically correct generalizations and you will be guaranteed to fail.
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In my humble opinion....Hispanics/Latinos will integrate over time as they share the same value systems as most Americans. Moslems will NEVER integrate as the do NOT share the same value systems as most Americans. They want to change America to their religiously based design. They do not relate to nation states, rather they relate to their "Ummah" which is the world community of Islam. They are here to undermine you, and profit at the same time. It is that simple really.
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In my humble opinion....Hispanics/Latinos will integrate over time as they share the same value systems as most Americans. Moslems will NEVER integrate as the do NOT share the same value systems as most Americans. They want to change America to their religiously based design. They do not relate to nation states, rather they relate to their "Ummah" which is the world community of Islam. They are here to undermine you, and profit at the same time. It is that simple really.
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the immigrants/illegals have it made...they get EVERY THING handed to them... example..PLEASE take this money and open a store or restaurant! While the natives of America have to beg for help to start a business, beg for a place to work, pay for health insurance, pay for their homes.... WHAT'S WRONG with this picture?
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There is a concerted effort of this bogus potus & admin to destroy us from within by aiding & abetting our enemies & invaders. We are being forced to share our wealth by making our workers into modern day slaves, supporting those here illegally.
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