Perhaps no issue in our history is more unique to us than immigration. Our country was founded by immigrants seeking freedom of various kinds. Throughout the ages we have welcomed immigrants to our shores from every nation known to mankind. These immigrants, our forefathers, have brought unique talents, cultures, skills and education to each of us. Craftsmen, skilled laborers, unskilled workmen, professors, scientists, artists and many others have enriched our nation.

Yet today perhaps the most controversial issue facing us as a nation is the issue of immigration. More correctly, it has never been about immigration – but rather illegal immigration. Experts like to say that illegal immigrants have come to America many times in our history. To some extent they are right. But those past generations of immigrants, legal or illegal, had a far more difficult time crossing our borders.

They mostly had to cross an ocean to reach our shores. It proved to be pretty difficult to just show up on shore. And the world was a far different place during most of these periods of mass immigration. When the Irish and the Scotch and the Italians and all the other ethnic groups began arriving we never imagined that included in their group would be people who wanted to destroy all that we had.

In fact, our immigrants then wanted to become a part of the greatest melting pot the world has ever known – America. They wanted to be assimilated into our culture, to learn our traditions, to celebrate our freedoms – to become Americans.

Today, most of our illegal immigrants simply walk or ride across our Southern border. With one of the poorest nations in our hemisphere right next door, Hispanics, like millions of our ancestors, want a better life for their families and themselves. So they come to America, however they can.

Unfortunately, in this world of terrorists and radicals, we have no way of knowing who is crossing that border to harm us and who is actually coming to live the American dream.

Our country has always been based on the rule of law. Now we are told that even though a person breaks our law to come here, we should welcome them with open arms and invite them to enjoy the bounties of America. Most Americans, who cherish our tradition and history as a nation of laws, find this to be an unacceptable dilemma.

Those on the left who say that Americans opposed to illegal immigration are bigots have it wrong. We are not bigots. We are not opposed to immigration. We welcome people of every ethnic group. We just want them to come in through the front door of America, by following our laws and rules and becoming a part of our great country.