The Immigration Speech I’ve been Waiting For
By Aaron Leroux
In the rapacious tempest that is the presidential election this year I have, only rarely, heard any mention of immigration. I’ve been hoping against hope to hear Barack Obama give some magnificent speech about how immigration is the in the DNA of this country and we must not run from what has made us who we are. I’ve been dreading John McCain prattling on about the wall to end all walls being built to keep “those people” out. Some pimply young republican will name it. And it will forever be referred to, without irony, as: “The Freedom Wall.” But alas… hardly a peep from either candidate. So I’ve written an immigration speech. Consider it a template on which facts, figures, policy ideas, and personal biography can be glued. I offer this speech freely and equally to any and all candidates running for any level of public office...who read The Better Blog. It is my hope that it will be plagiarized ad infinitum, and that I never be given any credit whatsoever for it.
“Up until this very moment, our public discourse regarding immigration reform has been a not so subtle movement for the restriction, or out-right elimination, of immigration altogether. We have talked about guest worker programs, about driver licenses. There are those who simply want to build a wall to keep immigrants out. But no longer will veiled racism and not-so-veiled xenophobia be the rhetorical pillars of our immigration policy. It is all going to change and it starts today with us. Right here. Right now.
The United States will return to the values that have been the underpinnings of every American success story since 1776, when a band of immigrants declared in one voice that they would stand together; united in their common beliefs. The belief that all men were created equal and that all had the right and god-given freedom to pursue life, liberty and happiness as they saw fit.
This country was founded not by those who built walls; but by those who sought to break walls down. Walls of ignorance built as monuments to a collective and irrational fear. A fear that can be beaten back with optimism, with passion, tenacity and courage.
In short: The American Spirit.
And as sure as we can find statistics detailing the myriad of burdens the men, women and children who pass through our borders place on every day Americans, we fail to see the benefits. We fail to see that it is these people and their values that are helping to strengthen America despite the short term burdens we may have.
Some come with a few small bags to seek work. Some come with nothing at all, seeking only their freedom. All, risk their lives and the lives of their loved ones for the simple opportunity of working to make sure their children don’t have to run through the desert at night in order to get somewhere in life. There are many difficult decisions and regulations we are going to have to make and agree on in the years to come. This is a complicated issue and its solution will be no less complicated. But all those who seek life here in the United States, no matter their material wealth or status, they all bring something with them. They carry the belief that things can be better. They carry the belief that with hard work and a fair chance in a new land they can succeed. They possess The American Spirit and we need to see more of it. Let their courage, and their passion, be their student visas. Let their curiosity their ingenuity, be their green cards. Bring us that optimism that burns in our DNA, let that be their Passport.
In 1886, America was given an extraordinary gift that has since transcended time and culture, race and religion. Today she stands, taller, prouder, and more determined than ever. She lives in New York harbor, stretching with all her might, standing atop the hopes and dreams of over 11 generations of immigrants. And within her pedestal, engraved for all time in sweat and tears, in blood and bronze is the immigration policy of the United States: “Give me your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free. The wretched refuse of your teaming shore. Send these, the homeless, tempest-tossed to me, I lift my lamp beside the golden door.”
This is who we are. This is what America, at its heart, its core, believes. We will face the problems and complications of immigration reform. And we will face them head on. We will not hide behind walls, shutting out a world that we have helped to shape. A world full of men, women, and children who want nothing more than a better life for themselves and for their families. A world of hope and belief in the power of freedom and liberty. A belief in justice for all, a world that is yearning to breathe free.”