Immigration has become one of the most controversial issues of the century. As a daughter of two Cuban immigrants, I believe that immigration is inherently good for America. To hopeful immigrants close and far: America appears as a paradise- a place where people can come and realize their greatest dreams without being censored or restricted.
While many argue that immigrants are taking advantage of our nation, to most immigrants the main goal is to contribute their best work and passion in order to not only better themselves, but to feel like a contributing piece of this country’s large and diverse puzzle. Our nation and its leaders should feel proud that talented people from all over the globe chose to work so hard to come to our land; our nation and its leaders should feel blessed that the country has such a high reputation and standing among minorities; our nation and its leaders should consider that some of the greatest ideas and thoughts flourish outside of our borders. I find it ironic that our country fights for globalization and growth yet pushes away the idea of immigration because “immigrants will steal our ideas.” The point and purpose of globalization is to expand ideas and work as one so that all ideas belong to the world and its minds, not just one race, one nation, or one person.
Quite often, Americans find themselves praising Albert Einstein- a German-born scientist. A large part of the reason Einstein’s intelligence impacted us so greatly was because he was welcomed with such enthusiasm and acceptance. In fact, Einstein claimed that he was stricken by America’s “joyous, positive attitude to life”. Einstein also stated, “The American is friendly, self-confident, optimistic, and without envy.” The America that Einstein described is the America that we should strive to be today. We should not envy the talents of fellow foreigners, but instead cherish them and permit those talents to linger and influence us to be our best.
Each day I think and reflect on how grateful I am that my parents had the opportunity to come to the United States. Each day, my parents work their hardest and give their all to a country from which they are not natives, but that they love and pray for each night. Each day, I strive my hardest to ignore racism and comments against immigration and expansion, because I know that many of my brightest peers hide their citizenship status in order to avoid being judged. Each day, I hope that our country will live up to its positive reputation and welcome all with respect and appreciation. We never know. The person with the cure to cancer, the person with the solution to the energy crisis, the person that can help stop global warming may be living in a small room in a far away place in a country whose name we do not know, or care to know, because we are so caught up with ourselves. Immigration isn’t something to be frightened or ashamed of, but rather something to be proud of as a nation.
