As Congress continues to debate ways to address illegal

Hear the earnest words of Bob Filner, spoken in the halls of debate but echoing with timeless truth: “As Congress continues to debate ways to address illegal immigration, we must remember the many hard-working legal immigrants that contribute so much to our nation's economy and culture.” In this saying, he seeks to pierce the fog of argument with a reminder of gratitude. For while disputes rage about borders and laws, there are millions whose quiet labor, whose resilience and spirit, have strengthened the very foundations of the nation.

At the heart of his words lies the distinction between debate and remembrance. Congress may argue endlessly about policy, about enforcement, about legality and reform. Yet Filner warns that amid the clash of opinions, the true faces of immigration must not be forgotten: the farmworker who bends beneath the sun, the doctor who heals the sick, the teacher who shapes young minds, the artist who enriches the culture. These are the legal immigrants who came through the gates of law, and who, once admitted, have become part of the lifeblood of America.

History shines with such examples. Think of Andrew Carnegie, who arrived from Scotland as a poor boy and rose to become one of the great builders of American industry. Or Madeleine Albright, who fled war-torn Europe and became the first female Secretary of State, guiding the nation with wisdom. Or the countless unnamed men and women who crossed oceans and deserts, not for conquest but for opportunity, and through their work and sacrifice, transformed barren lands into fields of prosperity. Their stories remind us that America is not weakened but made strong by those who come to join its dream.

Filner’s words also strike at the danger of forgetfulness. Too often, public discourse reduces immigrants to a single question of legality, forgetting the larger truth of their humanity and their contributions. In moments of fear, suspicion rises; yet in moments of clarity, the nation remembers that it has always been built by newcomers, by those who left behind the familiar to embrace the uncertain. The debate over illegal immigration must not overshadow the truth that immigration itself—legal, orderly, and embraced—has always been the forge of renewal.

Consider the story of the transcontinental railroad in the 19th century, built in part by Chinese immigrants who endured harsh labor, racism, and violence. Though reviled in their day, their contribution bound the coasts of America together, creating commerce and unity. Such is the paradox of immigration: those once feared or rejected often become, in time, honored as the very builders of the nation. Filner’s words carry this wisdom—look beyond fear, and see the enduring gift of those who come with lawful intent and willing hands.

The lesson is clear: when discussing policy, never lose sight of people. The temptation of politics is to turn men and women into numbers, to speak of them as burdens or threats. But the truth is different: they are neighbors, workers, dreamers, parents, and children, who enrich not only the economy but the very spirit of the land. To honor them is not sentiment, but justice. To forget them is to deny the essence of the nation itself.

Therefore, children of tomorrow, remember Bob Filner’s call. Debate if you must, but never forget gratitude. Welcome those who come lawfully, honor their toil, and celebrate their gifts. Let the nation not divide itself upon fear but unite upon remembrance of its origins: a people of many lands, brought together by hope. In this way, immigration will not be seen as a curse but as a covenant—a covenant of work, of culture, of shared destiny. And so shall the nation endure, renewed by every generation that dares to call it home.