The United States is now and always has been a country of immigrants and I believe articles about American immigration are not complete unless they tell this important side of the story. Every year, about one million legal immigrants decide to make the United States their new home, among them some Uruguayans. Indeed, at least ten percent of our citizens were born abroad. No other country accepts so many new arrivals. Statistics tell us that immigrants are among the most successful Americans, and all of us celebrate their contributions.

It defies logic to claim American immigration laws are excessively unfair and restrictive, when they enable one million people to immigrate to the United States legally each year. All countries have the right to decide who may or may not live within their borders, and I cannot name any sovereign state which lacks rules to regulate travel and immigration. Like most nations, we penalize those who attempt to immigrate to our country illegally, or who cross our borders on the pretence of being a tourist when in fact they intend to work or live in violation of our laws.

Immigration issues are among the most complex we face, in part because of the impact migrants have on our daily lives. For example, since many immigrants don’t speak English, American cities and counties publicize important information in the languages many immigrants know. It is not uncommon for our municipalities to translate voting or driving rules into languages as diverse as Spanish, Chinese, Lao or Khmer (Cambodian), to enable immigrants from those countries to fully enjoy the rights and privileges made available to them as U.S. citizens or legal residents.

American school districts often require instruction in languages other than English. Some jurisdictions require hospitals to have foreign language interpreters available to ensure that patients can make proper medical decisions. Our courts have the discretion to reject charges against accused criminals who don’t speak English and are not advised about their rights in a language they can understand. Though these costs are minor when compared to the benefits immigration offers our country, such rights and privileges come at no small financial cost to our governments and communities.

A young man or woman’s decision to leave home and migrate to a foreign country is perhaps the most difficult decision he or she will ever make. Migration for economic necessity forces parents to live thousands of miles away from their children, virtually guaranteeing that a family won’t be reunited for years – and sometimes, forever. In the short term, the country of origin receives some temporary benefits, such as the money an immigrant sends to family members left behind. However, no country can grow if its hardest working and most talented citizens are forced to leave.

Governments must work hand-in-hand with the private sector to help their people avoid such choices, and create good jobs and employment at home. In a country like Uruguay , which is blessed with natural resources and an educated population, these goals can be achieved through initiatives that embrace open markets and international investment.

Since he was first elected in 2001, President Bush has advanced a bold immigration agenda, whose goal is to match employers who need workers with the immigrants who are willing to do the jobs for which there simply aren’t enough Americans to fill.

The President’s proposals are designed to take into account the presence of millions of undocumented workers now living illegally in the United States , while at the same time addressing the fundamental need to keep our country safe and secure from those who wish to do us harm. I am optimistic that the President, working with the U.S. Congress, will successfully advance his goals before he completes his term in office.

 
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