Welcome to America, legal immigrants
To be born a U.S. citizen is to be born lucky.
I take so much for granted, forgetting the struggles of my ancestors and often neglecting to fully appreciate the benefits and responsibilities afforded me as a citizen born here.. To better understand an alternate path to U.S. citizenship, naturalization or becoming a citizen by choice, I recently attended the Naturalization Proceedings for the U.S. District Court in Kansas City, Kan.
This public courtroom ceremony was our country’s official welcome to 87 new citizens. The warm and civilized tone of the program stands in sharp contrast to the hostile rhetoric used by local and national politicians to inflame and polarize discussions about immigration reform.
The thoughtful and personal nature of the remarks offered by the presiding judges, guest speaker, singer and other officers of the court were touching. They referenced the larger context of the immigrant experience, one that is far more complicated than a few simple statistics.
They spoke with historical perspective, civility, humility and respect for the individual journey of each new citizen. They offered appreciation to the group for the chance to share in their special event.
One judge began with the simple but powerful words, “Welcome home.” Another speaker shared that his own family’s generational journey through Kansas’ history included family members working as a blacksmith, a fire fighter and now as a circuit court judge.
He said: “We didn’t go through this process, we are here by birth, but we share similar family histories. Our own ancestors came to this region for employment, escape or betterment. We are happy and humbled to be a part of this day. One or two generations from now, it may be your children or grandchildren up here as judges.”
As the new citizens were introduced, I was surprised to hear there were 38 countries represented. Joining our Midwest melting pot were new citizens whose country of origin included Somalia, India, Nigeria, Mexico, Thailand, Algeria, Peru, Iran, Kenya, Bangladesh, China, Malaysia, Laos, Philippines, Australia, Sweden, Guatemala, Bosnia, Egypt, Vietnam, South Korea, Czech Republic, Russia, Cuba, South Africa, Jamaica, Indonesia, Brazil, Ethiopia, Ecuador, England, Poland, Canada, Turkey and Jordan.
Their occupations covered a range of skills and talents, including student, laboratory scientist, homemaker, machine technician, teacher, housekeeper, telecom engineer, mechanical engineer, prep cook, accountant, real estate salesperson, database engineer, plumber, special education teacher, custodian and an asset manager. Each person had already passed a civics exam, and then pledged to “support and defend the Constitution and laws of the United States of America and to bear true faith and allegiance to the same.”
At the conclusion of the program, family photos were snapped with judges in robes and with volunteers from the Daughters of the American Revolution dressed in American Revolutionary attire.
We merged into the hallway and within seconds you couldn’t tell new citizen from neighborhood friend, family member or court official.
I left pleased with the way one part of the immigration experience had unfolded. I’d like to know more about these new citizens and their decision to pledge their energies and that of their future generations to this complicated and amazing land.
The words of one judge lingered in my mind as I walked to my car: “We improve our country by adding to it. Your experience, your prior contributions are valuable. I’m proud of you. Thank you for letting me share this with you.”
Indeed.
Sarah Baum, of Mission Hills, has worked in finance and as a community volunteer. Reach her by email at oped@kcstar.com or write to Midwest Voices, c/o Editorial Page, The Kansas City Star, 1729 Grand Blvd., Kansas City, Mo. 64108.
Robert Copher
11 months agoNow you are sharing my understanding and expectations of American sentiment for immigrants and what I hope is able to be conveyed to our Mexican immigrants eventually. I will always give them the benefit of the doubt. As long as they are abiding by the laws while they are here, assist them in getting thru the lines you want them to go thru in order to become a citizen. Be a humanitarian first, then American.
Phil Cardarella
11 months agoI am grateeful each day for my great-grandparents — a teeage couple — who left the familiar hills of Sicily — FOREVER — that I might live in this most amazing land.
Perhaps that is why I hold a particular place in my heart for the DREAM Act — and the thoroughly American children who wait to be allowed to earn citizenship.
JR Beillenhouser
11 months agoPeople want to come to America. Brilliant people. We have quotas to ensure that the system is not overwhelmed. Americans welcome immigrants that follow the rule of law and enter the country legally.
How anyone in their right mind could think it is a good idea to allow people in the country, without checking out their intentions, their past history, and their purpose, it beyond belief. It is ignorant and idiotic and according to our laws, criminal.
How is it fair to the immigrants who come to our country following the rules to accept those that don’t?
Is anyone just the smallest bit concerned about the possibility of drug cartels, terrorists, or others using the same mechanisms to get into our country?
Why is people are begging to come here do we accept the lowest common denominator in terms of education and potential?
While I certainly understand and feel bad for the poor that come to look for jobs, I hold particular place in my heart for immigrants who come here legally and follow the rules. Those that do not wish to sponge off of the US while still professing loyalty to other countries.
This is pure a simple a mechanism to get votes for the Democratic party. The same party that hates catholics wants a whole bunch of them from mexico to win elections.
Steve Alleman
Kansas City
11 months agoWow Chuck Close has researched the immigration policies of every country in the world. I’m impressed.
George Hunsucker
Northland
11 months agook Steve, name a country more welcoming WITH FACTS since you are obviously a smart lib….
Robert Copher
11 months agoJr, I don’t think you “feel” anything. You’re too judgemental, suspicious, and inhumane. Since I get to choose, I choose trusting nonjudgemental and humane. They are here. Just deal with them. I mean, just talk to them. find out why the ones you encounter are here. I used to think all people suck. I changed my mind. Some do. Laws are written to control us, not rule us. Give people a chance before resorting to law, maybe? and questioning of their character just because they are here. We are more than our laws.
JR Beillenhouser
11 months ago“Jr, I don’t think you “feel” anything. You’re too judgemental, suspicious, and inhumane.”
Really, you get all of that from postings on a blog? I thought liberals like you don’t judge, rather it is conservatives who do so.
And yet Robert, as usual, you are the one who judges, consistently. Should I pull up several of your other posts?
“Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye?”
What a hypocrite.
JR Beillenhouser
11 months agoRobert, since laws don’t matter, can me about 10 of my friends drop by your house and watch your tv and eat your food. My friends are poor, so you should be non judgmental and just pay for our bills.
Now what’s the difference between that and illegals coming into our country and doing the same thing?
Steve Alleman
Kansas City
11 months agoThat facts as you know them? As Will Rogers said, “It isn’t what we don’t know that gives us trouble. It’s what we know that ain’t so.”
Glen Enloe
11 months agoThe problem has never been the legal immigrants. We want & encourage those (within limits, of course). The problem has always been the illegals. To dreamily mull over legal immigrants is OK, but to dismiss those upset with illegals is a standard liberal tactic. To ignore this problem & the question of unlimited immigration is dangerous & insane. Look at Europe. At least they’ve finally realized the stupidity of their past oven immigration laws. It can happen here.
Phil Cardarella
11 months ago“Illegals” is a loaded term. Especially since most of those that seem to generate concern are from a country we stole half of. If a Mexican wanted to cross the border with the US as it stood in 1830? He’d have to travel another thousand miles.
And especially when referring to kids who were brought here as children, grew up American, are educated and patriotic. I’d trade a bunch of our home-grown deadbeats for one of them any day.
No one is advocating unlimited immigration. The closest we get to that are the )GOP) businessmen who want migrant workers to pick crops. Those of us who support the DREAM act merely want to keep the pick of the crop as our fellow-Americans.
JR Beillenhouser
11 months ago“Those of us who support the DREAM act merely want to keep the pick of the crop as our fellow-Americans.”
Really Phil. Where is the action to deport the rest?
What does the law say? If you don’t like it, why don’t you do it the legitimate way and change the law?