'We are a nation of immigrants

When it comes to immigration, we have become a nation of various groups wanting more people like themselves, but wanting to shut the door for others. I have relatives from Mexico, and they are fine with more Mexicans, but not with more Salvadorans. My neighbors across the street are from Peru, and they would like to see more Peruvians, but not more Salvadorans. The people one street over are Salvadoran, so guess how they feel about Peruvians? My relatives from Japan think we have way too many Chinese an Indian people already. My friends from China hope their two children born here will someday help them retire in the US when the kids go to college here, but they're happy to hear talk of ending the anchor baby thing. It seems so many people see a problem when it comes to people not like themselves, but they cannot bear to think that they and their families are part of the problem.

Immigration should serve the principle of diversity, just as O'Malley says. That requires accepting people from everywhere. It also requires we turn away some people, even some people who are running away from difficult circumstances in their home countries. It's a really, really emotional issue. To complicate matters, it's shaded by racism, xenophobia, religion, politics, and probably a lot more. No matter what we decide, we will hear moaning and groaning about it.

The Italians, Polish, Asians, Irish, etc., etc.

All first generation immigrants have worked in food preparation, and manual labor primarily doing things which are otherwise hard to find labor for.

One of my pastry chefs is 84 years old. A few years ago she was going on about the Mexican workers should only speak English. I reminded her that her German parents died speaking German to each other and other German immigrants. I also pointed out that the Mexican workers children speak English almost exclusively. She hasn't since complained and now loves most of her Mexican co-workers.

All three of them came here from Mexico, and they usually speak English with each other, only switching to Spanish when Grandma is around.

No question. However, the "nation of immigrants" meme lacks solid appeal to the time immemorial demographic. We may be small in nationwide voting clout, but I think we hold the moral high ground on this, and the usual nod is appreciated--better than being overlooked, anyway; keep that in mind, especially as "thanksgiving" story-telling time is coming up.