The definition of immigrant is “a person who migrates to another country, usually for permanent residence.” Many people today who believe that immigration laws should be less strict than they currently are in the United States often say that “The United States was founded by Immigrants,” and therefore, the United States should be more welcoming to people coming in for other countries. People use this phrase to try to persuade others who do not wish to have more immigrants come to America, or want to have tighter boarders and guidelines for accepting immigrants. However, this country was not simply founded by average immigrants seeking better opportunities and freedom in a new land. This country was eventually populated by poor and middle class immigrants who just wanted a fair shake at life for their cultures and families, but the United States was not founded by immigrants; it was founded by invaders.
People tend to pick and choose what they want to accept and believe about the history of the United States. In school we are taught that the colonialists fought against Great Britain with the noble cause of liberty, and for freedom from Imperial reign. Little is ever mentioned about the near genocide of the Native American, slavery, and racially forced subordination of minority ethnic groups before and after the United States was founded. The United States also welcomed immigrants and had open boarders without regulation until the late 19th century. The North American Continent was homeland of the Native American Indian, and the United States government showed very little concern about their thoughts and feelings about the invasion of their home, and even forced them to live on non-sustainable reservations.
Citizenship should be given to everyone who wants to immigrate to the United States. This land should have never been property for the government or private citizens to control and decide who can come in or not. Not one Native American tribe had a word or concept for land ownership. The colonialists took advantage of the Natives’ technological and industrial weaknesses, as well as justifying their authority by arrogantly asserting that Native Americans are non-Christian savages who must be converted and assimilated to become civilized by European standards. Every human being has needs, is talented in some way, and many people across the globe still suffer from poverty and oppression. The United States should re-open it’s boarders to all immigrants, make them tax-paying citizens, and give them a better opportunity for higher education and quality of life. The United States as a nation should display the highest standard of kindness and compassion to other nations. If we welcome immigrants with open arms and treat them as equals with respect, than we would set a positive example and earn great admiration and respect from leaders and citizens of other Nations around the world.
