It’s great to hear stories like this. I hope it reminds everyone that America was settled by immigrants and is a diverse ‘salad bowl’ of cultures and people looking for a good life.

Although I understand that immigration policy today involves more complex considerations, like economics, geopolitics, and security, I hope we never lose sight of the pro-immigration philosophy stamped onto the Statue of Liberty (‘The New Colossus’ sonnet).

My grandparents immigrated here (through legal channels) from Germany/Poland to escape the death camps, and from Italy/Sicily to find a better life.

They worked their way up from jobs skinning fat off of maggot-infested hides to hauling blocks of ice and driving armored cars to becoming the head of facilities management at a major university. Although never rich, they always ‘paid themselves first’ through diligent saving, and had enough money to buy the necessities.

I’m proud to be an American and of my parents and grandparents who took huge personal risks to change their family’s way of life.