“Immigrants signed their names to our Declaration and helped win our independence.” – Pres. Barack Obama
FOR many years, the “American dream” has been shared by people from all corners of the world, who have made the United States their second home.
They’ve built better lives for themselves, while contributing to the development of their newfound home.
The 4th of July is not just an American celebration. By reminiscing the history and meaning behind Independence Day, this patriotic holiday can also be assimilated through the eyes of its immigrants – people who share the same significance, but also adding a hint of their native culture in the commemoration.
Last year, President Barack Obama led an Independence Day gathering through a naturalization ceremony for some US military members. Obama addressed them as his “fellow Americans.”
“It brings me great joy and inspiration because it reminds us that we are a country that is bound together not simply by ethnicity or bloodlines, but by fidelity to a set of ideas,” Obama said in his commencement speech.
“We say it so often, we sometimes forget what it means – we are a nation of immigrants,” Obama reminded the audience in the East Room of the White House.
“Immigrants helped lay the railroads and build our cities, calloused hand by calloused hand. Immigrants took up arms to preserve our union, to defeat fascism, and to win a Cold War. Immigrants and their descendants helped pioneer new industries and fuel our Information Age, from Google to the iPhone. So the story of immigrants in America isn’t a story of ‘them,’ it’s a story of ‘us.’ It’s who we are. And now, all of you get to write the next chapter,” Obama further said.
Obama pointed out that the 4th of July is an American journey — a story of success that would not have been possible, without the help of generations of immigrants from every corner of the globe.
“Because the lesson of these 236 years is clear — immigration makes America stronger. Immigration makes us more prosperous. And immigration positions America to lead in the 21st century. And these young men and women are testaments to that. No other nation in the world welcomes so many new arrivals. No other nation constantly renews itself, refreshes itself with the hopes, and the drive, and the optimism, and the dynamism of each new generation of immigrants. You are all one of the reasons that America is exceptional. You’re one of the reasons why, even after two centuries, America is always young, always looking to the future, always confident that our greatest days are still to come.”
In that same speech, Obama promised the comprehensive immigration reform and encouraged why’s America should same the cause.
“For just as we remain a nation of laws, we have to remain a nation of immigrants. It’s why we need — why America’s success demands—comprehensive immigration reform,” Obama said.
The days leading up to the Independence Day will be marked by US citizenship ceremonies across the country — to illustrate the strong role that immigration has played in shaping America.
Documented or not, every person whose feet are planted on American soil is responsible in reflecting the words of the Pledge of Allegiance.
The past year since Obama’s speech has been tough, but things are moving on. This week, millions of immigrants are applauding the recent Senate passage of the landmark immigration bill.
Land of the free and home of the brave — a nation of immigrants. The 4th of July has become more meaningful.
(AJPress)
