This is a terrific piece by syndicated columnist Ruben Navarrette Jr. of the San Diego Union-Tribune.
Here's an excerpt:
"The whole purpose of America is not to skim the cream of the immigrant pool but to take in desperate people from countries that are poor, corrupt and dysfunctional. Not just out of compassion, but also in our own self-interest. Ours is the ultimate land of second chances, where people come when their own nations neglect, abuse, oppress and underserve them. And they often succeed here because they know what else is out there."
It's a terrific read.