We are a Nation of Immigrants

“Give me your tired, your poor;

Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free.”

(from Emma Lazarus’ sonnet “The New Colossus” inscribed on a plaque at the Statue of Liberty)

Last year, I saw the Statue of Liberty for the very first time. We were on a trip to New York City with our son and teenage grandsons and took a tour to see Lady Liberty and Ellis Island. It was a humbling and inspirational experience. 

A few years ago when I was a principal, I visited a fourth grade classroom where they were in a discussion about immigration as part of their social studies unit, studying the wave of immigration to Hawai’i. At the time, the news was focused on the plight of the Syrian refugees, and the teacher saw this as an opportunity to expand the unit beyond a period of time in Hawaii’s history to what was happening in the world. Students learned about push and pull factors that impacted immigration and agreed on a question that would drive their research and discussions: Will immigration last forever? Why or why not? Those fourth graders learned how immigration to Hawai`i transformed our islands, making us the most multicultural state in our country. They made that connection to the world, agreeing that immigration would indeed last forever due to push and pull factors as well as events that impact people’s lives.

Unless someone is Native American or Native Hawaiian, their ancestors came to our country from somewhere else. Most of us are immigrants or descendents of immigrants. The Pilgrims themselves were immigrants, fleeing religious persecution in England and eventually crossing the Atlantic Ocean to settle in America. There are many other examples. A potato famine in Ireland led to over 1 million Irish immigrants entering our country.  Chinese laborers were recruited to build the transcontinental railroad system. Jews from Eastern Europe and Russia came to America to escape discrimination and violence. Cubans fled to our country after the Cuban Revolution. Recent refugees from Central America and countries like Iraq, Syria, and Afghanistan sought asylum due to war and instability in their countries. And others came to our country for educational or economic opportunities. 

My ancestors emigrated to Hawai`i from Japan in the 1890's. At the time, Hawai`i was a nation, and Japan was transitioning from feudalism to Westernization. This led to economic instability especially in rural areas. So when King Kalakaua offered contracts to work on the sugar or pineapple plantations in Hawai`i, many men took the offer. It was very challenging with long hours, backbreaking work, poor pay, and terrible working conditions, but our ancestors persevered, believing that Hawai`i would offer more opportunities for their children. Their work ethic was drilled into our generation from a young age. We were constantly reminded that if we studied and worked hard, we would have many more opportunities than what our ancestors had. I owe much to our immigrant ancestors.

My family’s story is not unique. American has been called “The Land of Opportunity” because it offered possibility. From the first immigrants to those who come today, people hope for a brighter future in our country. If we remember why people emigrated to our country - to escape hunger or persecution or a feeling of hopelessness - it is difficult to dismiss those who come to our country today for the same reasons. The question we must address is “Do we meet the challenges of immigration with compassion or with fear?” 

I’ve been reflecting on that fourth grade class and the honest discussions that took place between students and the teacher. And I wonder how many classrooms today are having discussions about important topics like immigration. Our students need to be informed citizens, able to see a challenging topic as an opportunity to engage in research, discussions, and the realization that there can be a difference of opinion, and that our personal experiences can impact one’s viewpoint. Those fourth grade students are now in high school and will be of voting age in a few years. I am hoping that they continue to be informed citizens, to look at issues with a wider lens, and can empathize with those who may be experiencing challenges or who have different viewpoints.

This was at the entry to the ferry tour to the Statue of Liberty. I asked our grandsons “Why would immigrants come to our country and what has been the impact of immigration? 

This tour was one of the highlights of our trip to New York City. 

Our country is unique because of our diversity. We are a nation of immigrants; that is who we are, that is our history. I hope we can agree that the issue of immigration should be met with compassion and not with fear.