#Immigrants: Have We Forgotten How We All Got Here In The First Place?

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In just 10 months it will have been 140 years since construction began on Lady Liberty in NY.  The symbol for millions of a new life and new freedom they never dreamed possible.  She has greeted all of those who came to this land with a promise, while unspoken, was understood:

Not like the brazen giant of Greek fame,
With conquering limbs astride from land to land;
Here at our sea-washed, sunset gates shall stand
A mighty woman with a torch, whose flame
Is the imprisoned lightning, and her name
Mother of Exiles. From her beacon-hand
Glows world-wide welcome; her mild eyes command
The air-bridged harbor that twin cities frame.
“Keep, ancient lands, your storied pomp!” cries she
With silent lips. “Give me your tired, your poor,
Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,
The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.
Send these, the homeless, tempest-tossed to me,
I lift my lamp beside the golden door!”

I am a descendent of such that read those words when they entered through the gates of Ellis Island and to the New World. But I know I am not alone in that history.  America was and is built on the dreams and aspirations of its immigrants.  They never took for granted what they were given, never forgot what they fought for to get here.

As time has gone on, this nation has forgotten the creed to which it was built upon.  Over the past few years there have been those who have vowed to end immigration in this country and close our borders. In recent days and weeks, that battle has become more intense.  2 days ago, after years of redirect and false promises by the political élite on both sides of the aisle, President Obama stood up and made a decision to act.  For that action, whether agreed with or not, the conversation is in full swing.

But this conversation did not start with a 21st century Democrat in the White House.  In the 1980’s there was a Republican President named Ronald Reagan who took on immigration reform and won.

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#Immigrants found relief in #Reagan-era #Amnesty http://t.co/vqeWDcvkFW The party of Reagan is anything but… pic.twitter.com/GngZistfJR

— Stacey O’Brien (@irish0831) November 22, 2014

What amazes me is that 30 years ago when it was a #GOP idea, the idea was Ok.  But now it is unthinkable.  Is it because it is a Liberal White House plan?  Or is it because of one in the White House made the decision?  No matter the reason, the conversation has started again.

But should the people of this great nation leave it up to just the politicians in Washington DC?  Out voices need to be heard, no matter what side of the conversation you may be on.  Voices need to ring loud and clear from the people.  After all, our flesh and blood were once the ‘huddled masses yearning to breathe free’.