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Thanks to those who sent in their immigration stories. Here are some of them.

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Dear Dennis: You are absolutely right.  I immigrated in 1976 when the focus of the immigration system in the US was to allow people in based on how they would help our country.  I never took a penny in government support but paid an enormous amount of taxes over the years.  I am Catholic from birth and am ashamed at our Pope for spouting left wing propaganda.  Of course many Marylanders do the same without thinking.  

Do I fear ICE?   How absurd!  They are doing a great job despite the attacks from the radical left and the useful idiots who are used as "cannon fodder" so to speak.  cheers,

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Dear Mr. Melby, Here is part of my story in the United States.

I am Catholic, and my faith means a great deal to me. It is the foundation of my life. This strong foundation was passed down to me by my parents and grandparents, and it has guided me throughout my life. It continues to shape my daily decisions and gives me strength during both joyful and challenging times.

I came to the United States when President Reagan was in office. At the time, I knew very little about him or about this country. As I prepared to make my first long journey alone, I placed myself in God's hands and prayed for His guidance. When I arrived, I immediately realized that I wanted to stay. I saw the opportunities, the freedom, and the hope that this country offered.

Although my family did not support my decision at first, I continued to pray and asked God to show me the right path. I hired an immigration lawyer to help me obtain the legal documentation I needed to remain in the country, and that marked the beginning of my new life in America.

The journey was not easy. After many years of hard work and perseverance, I became a United States citizen. Throughout that journey, I carried with me the values my parents instilled in me and the faith that has always sustained me. They taught me that life is not easy, but that with determination, hard work, and trust in God, opportunities can become reality.

Today, I am deeply grateful and proud to be an American. I have never believed that I was different from anyone else. Instead, I have always believed that I am a child of God, that I belong wherever He calls me to be, and that, with His guidance, I am capable of accomplishing the goals He places before me.

Thank you, United States of America—one nation under God.

Thank you for being the land of opportunity, freedom, and hope. Thank you for opening your doors to those who are willing to work hard, contribute, and pursue their dreams. I am deeply grateful for the opportunities this country has given me and for the privilege of becoming an American citizen.

God bless America, and may He continue to guide and bless this great nation for generations to come.

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Good morning, Dennis. While I'm not an immigrant (first generation, anyway) I do have a quick story to share. It's about my dad (a WW II veteran) and how, in his own way, he was instrumental in helping a family from Cuba leave behind Castro regime that governed Cuba in the 1960's and start a new life in America. Many of your readers may not have been alive in the early 1960s. Fidel Castro ruled over Cuba with an iron fist and Cuba's citizens narrowly escaped certain destruction if Castro and Khrushchev had ignored President Kennedy and not removed the Russian missiles and launchers discovered on Cuban soil. 

An accountant by training and trade, Jose left Cuba during the Golden Exile period, when white collar professionals and their families fled Cuba as Castro nationalized certain white collar professions and industries. As I understand it Jose was assisted and sponsored by the Rotary Club, which my father was a member of, in seeking asylum for him and his family. The Club (as I understand it) also helped him and his family adjust to life in western Massachusetts where I was born and raised (and where my dad's accounting practice was). Eventually Jose and his family settled in, became US citizens, learned English,  as I understand it, had a very nice life. 

I remember my dad telling us that Jose left Cuba with (literally) just the clothes on his back, and with no idea what life would be like in the small town in Western Massachusetts we lived in. As a young boy, I just couldn't imagine what that was like. 

My father helped bring him into the accounting practice that he was a partner in.  He used to call me "Skipper" because of my fascination with ships and boats. He would ask my dad what he could do or give him in repayment for all the help he'd given him and his family. According to my dad, who was getting pretty exasperated at Jose's constant plea, finally caved in and said, "fine, just get me a cold 6 pack of beer!".  

In closing, I suppose that if Facebook, Instagram or other social media and networking platforms were around back then I would have stayed in touch with that family. That's my one immigration story, I hope to remember for the rest of my life.  

Have a great week, as we continue to celebrate USA 250. 

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Dear Mr. Melby and the rest of the MCGOP:

Thank you so much for all the wonderful points you made in the "Honoring Legal Immigrants" newsletter! There was so much I agreed with you on when I read it, and it felt so relieving knowing that others share the exact same view as me on immigration.

First, I really liked the distinction you made between legal and illegal immigration, and unfortunately, the left tends to blur these two categories together to label our entire party as "anti-immigrant." This is not only offensive, but untrue. Many legal immigrants who come to America actually vote Republican because they are grateful for and love the new country they become a part of. Additionally, they had to work very hard for citizenship, and they find it unfair when they see illegal immigrants get government handouts and benefits super easily by Democratic politicians.

I also liked what you said about ICE. The left continues to make lies that ICE is constantly deporting American citizens of any race without due process and treating them horribly. This is so far from the actual truth--in reality, ICE is arresting and deporting the worst illegal immigrants who have been convicted of horrendous crimes. They are doing exactly what Tom Homan said, as you mentioned: "[getting] rid of the Worst of the Worst"!

Personally speaking, my mother is an immigrant. Her parents brought her here as an infant from South America to find a better life in the United States. And there are so many more freedoms and opportunities for them here than from the country they lived in before! My mother is so grateful for her parents' decision to bring her to the United States! She is happy here and loves it here. And I love how we all have an immigration story. Every American (except those that are immigrants themselves) has ancestors who came here for some reason, who thought life would be better in America than in their native country. I love how the United States is a nation of immigrants and the best nation in the world where anyone from any part of the world can thrive!!!

Thank you again for your newsletter today! There is so much I agree with you on, and I believe the Republican Party is the truly pro-law and pro-immigrant party!

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