Diplomatic Courier
September 16, 2012
It is often said that the United States is a “nation of immigrants”. While that can be a cliché, it does capture the important truth that our nation is bound together by things other than a common history. Our strength lies instead with common ideals of individual freedom and responsibility — driven by the limitless opportunities of free enterprise. These ideals and opportunities have served to attract the world’s best and brightest to our shores for generations.
Today, we face a sluggish economic recovery and persistently high unemployment. In these circumstances, some turn against the idea of immigration. I would argue just the opposite. I believe that history shows that immigrants can only strengthen our efforts to grow our economy, create jobs, and keep America competitive. But to truly leverage the talent, energy, ideas, and hard work of immigrants, we must adopt rational reforms to our immigration system. What’s at stake for our future if we don’t? Innovation, growth, and jobs.
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