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Here in Florida we have Mexican farm labor, and some construction labor. In south Florida we have a large Cuban immigrant population. many of these people entered the US illegally, many were fleeing for their lives. Many came here when Castro emptied his prisons and shipped 124,000 of them, including Cuban dissidents, here in the 1980 Mariel boat lift.
Many are good citizens, many are criminals now residing in our prisons. All must be judged individually based upon their behavior and contribution to American society. There are a number of nasty names we call people who just judge an entire segment of society based on the behavior of a few, or where they come from, or what they believe. I wont use the names, you know what you are without any labels from me.
This country has always had an influx of people from other countries and cultures. Many never learned English, many did. Ever try learning a language at the age of forty or fifty? Some speak several languages, How many do you speak? Their young children all learn English, and are quickly assimilated into American society. Only their names suggest their heritage.
All my grandparents came from other countries. All of them were leaving to escape untenable conditions to have a new life in a free but unfamiliar country. One of my grandparents fled Russia to save his life and came here illegally. He wound up in Salt Lake City when Lincoln lived in the White House, and died in 1950 at the age of 103.
All of these grandparents of mine spoke with an accent when I knew them, they had many American born children, two of whom were my parents. All owned businesses, paid taxes, provided employment for others. All contributed to their adopted country.
Nearly all of you reading this have similar histories. Many of you are a product of illegal immigrants whether you know it or not. Our ancestors built this nation, defended it, and prospered from it. All of our ancestors, even "Native" Americans came from someplace else during the last Ice Age. Today only your names may suggest where they came from. They were from Africa, Ireland, Italy, China, Germany, Russia, and dozens of other countries. They were Christians, Jews, Muslims, Pagans, athiests, some were criminals, most were honest and poor. They were people.
Today, immigration is a hot button issue, and we sit in judgment. Some judge today's immigrants and paint all with a broad brush, and find all or most wanting, below our standards. Can you spell hypocrisy?
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Q.E.D.
