God bless America, land that I love. Stand beside her, and guide her, through the night with a light from above. From the mountains, to the prairies, to the oceans white with foam, God bless America. My home sweet home.
This one-verse song was written by Irving Berlin, an immigrant and a Jew who fled a mob in Siberia and migrated with his family to New York City when he was 5 years old. In so many ways, his is the story of America — people from around the world coming to this country, sometimes with just the shirts on their backs, to escape war, famine, religious persecution and oppression.
Those like Irving Berlin, who arrived on ships into New York Harbor, often cried at the sight of the Statue of Liberty. Even if they couldn’t read, write or speak English, they believed the words on the tablet in Lady Liberty’s left hand: “Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free.”
Richard Cizik
Thus, as the nation celebrates its 250th birthday, I hope we will reflect on who we are: a nation of immigrants whose ancestors came here seeking freedom and a better life.
Except for Native Americans, who already were here, all of us have origin stories. Mine begins with my great-grandmother, who left Scotland with her sister, sailed to South America, crossed Drake Passage and traveled up the U.S. West Coast to what is now Eastern Washington state. Along the way, she traded with local Indian tribes while searching for land to settle and call home.
I think of my “grannie” and her fortitude when I consider the importance of immigrants to this country today. Although the Trump administration is proud of its record of removing or causing the self-deportation of more than 2 million migrants as of September 2025, within the first 250 days of the administration, immigration has and continues to benefit all Americans.
Consider how waves of immigration have enriched our society with music, dance, celebrations and many foods now considered American staples, like pizza, barbeque and tacos. Today, there are Chinatowns and Little Italys in cities across the nation; ethnic restaurants serving foods from countries including Ethiopia and Afghanistan; and we delight in celebrating holidays like Cinco de Mayo (which commemorates a battle in Mexico).
Immigration also revitalizes religious life in America, as newcomers with a strong sense of faith build new churches that serve as moral compasses for building their communities.
“Immigration also revitalizes religious life in America.”
These same newcomers rebuild overlooked communities, start small businesses and create new jobs. In fact, research finds immigrants create new businesses at twice the rate of U.S.-born entrepreneurs, generating $116.2 billion in revenues for the U.S. economy.
Also of note, immigrants pay an estimated $651.9 billion annually in taxes, including undocumented immigrants who paid $89.8 billion in combined federal, state and local taxes in 2023, despite being ineligible for most federal- and state-funded benefits.
Then, there is the fact that immigrants solve the problem of workforce shortages in America. They increase the number of working-age individuals at a time when older workers are retiring, especially in strenuous, demanding industries such as construction, agriculture and health care.
This is why today immigrants make up one in four workers in the construction industry, comprise about 70% of workers in the U.S. farm sector, and represent more than 18% of the nation’s health care professionals, including 40% of all home health care workers.
Yet, despite the many ways immigrants improve life in the U.S., a powerful constituency sees immigrants as a national threat, justifying a hardline agenda of mass arrests, detentions and deportations. It is unwarranted and cruel, which is why concerned Americans should take a stand against government policies that are separating families, dismantling longstanding rights and creating a culture of fear.
Already, polls find that 62% of Americans strongly oppose the aggressive enforcement tactics and expanded operations used by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Moreover, voters from all demographics oppose detaining or arresting immigrants at hospitals, clinics, schools and religious settings.
Thus, people of conscience can translate these concerns into action by contacting their members of Congress, speaking plainly about the harm being done to hardworking people and calling for an end to mass raids and unsafe conditions in detention facilities.
There’s a reason beyond compassion for standing up for immigrants that never should be forgotten: Immigrants made this country, and we are their children.
Our future depends on immigrants enabling economic growth and enriching our society with their enterprising spirit.
Richard Cizik serves as executive director of Evangelicals for Democracy, which brings together people of faith — Republicans, Democrats and independents of all walks of life — who believe as Americans, we are stronger and more resilient together than when we are divided.