Immigration

I recognize that everyone who lives in the United States, is an immigrant unless they are a native American descendant. Anyone who is a citizen of the US is an immigrant unless they are a native American descendant. That’s it. There are no alternatives.


America is a land of immigrants with the sole exception of those who are descended from native Americans. Our family roots may go back a few years, or hundreds of years. The length of time has no bearing on our citizenship. Or our personal worth. The root of the point is we are all immigrants. It is the DNA of our nation from its inception. I’m proud of that; hope you are, too. It is the foundation of our diversity. It enriches us like no other nation on the planet.


In my own case, my patriarchal roots come from England. Several family members crossed the Atlantic Ocean in the early 1600’s. Documents show evidence of their settling in Connecticut in 1630. Marriage documentation shows generations of family living in Connecticut and Massachusetts. Then they ventured west through New York, Ohio and Illinois. They helped settle the Midwest – Illinois, Iowa, Wisconsin, Minnesota and Nebraska. Farmers, preachers and teachers in the main. A lot of preachers.


I take pride in the stories these family records share. The daily routines were arduous in the earliest of American days. Hard labor. Living with little convenience. Thought out routines and consistent daily action. The days of their lives were basic and busy. From diaries their social activities and happiness show through. They valued their days and relationships. They relied on one another to make communities.


In one such diary my 19 year-old great grandfather moved with his parents from Darlington, Wisconsin to Rockford, Illinois. They traveled 6 days to cover 60 miles. Horse-drawn wagon with all their worldly possessions. Along the way they stopped at farms and asked for overnight accommodations. No motels dotted the dirt paths and trails in those days. Hospitality was readily available as farm families welcomed unexpected visitors. Community was built in little bits like this over many years. Think upon that and compare it with today’s insulated life in hotels, restaurants and quiet, sealed cars. The 60 miles today would take about an hour, not 6 arduous days.


The communities back in 1862 were sparsely settled with miles between them and other communities. Swedes, Finns, Germans and other nationalities were represented in these communities. Later other ethnicities would be welcomed to share their communities. Italian, Irish and other Europeans would migrate to America and add energy to the building of America.


Not all newcomers were made to feel welcome. Differences in language and culture are often difficult to accommodate in our busy lives. But opportunities popped up to share simple human needs. In those moments people became acquainted in ways that enlarged communal hospitality.
Understanding. Acceptance. Welcome.


Today we welcome African, South American, Central American and Mexican immigrants to our national culture. It is normal. It is also much needed.


The need? Reminders that we are not alone on the planet and that we all share this space. We also need fresh vigor and energy to do the work of supporting a complex society with a big job to do. We need to enlarge our thinking by learning new cultures and languages. These expand our horizons and understanding of the world.


Immigrants make our nation greater. They meld their futures with ours. Together we are much more than if we kept separate. One is expansive and vital; the other is crimped and stunted. Giving others freedom to be makes my freedom even larger. Yours as well.


I am proud that our nation and its people still welcome newcomers to our shores and homes. May it always be so.


April 3, 2019