U.S. always been a place for immigrants

I've been thinking quite a bit lately about the "populist" voting taking place in many parts of the world, especially in Great Britain and the USA. When I hear anti-immigration rhetoric, much of which is simply misguided and uninformed, I've become increasingly saddened by this. This is especially true when it comes from our supposed, moral and thought leaders.

You see, America has always been a country made from and for immigrants. My grandfather was born around the turn of last century in Venice, Italy. He immigrated (as a non-English speaker) to America as a young boy. At that time, Italians were thought of as greeseballs, mobsters and shady characters.

As a young man, he began his produce business from a neighborhood push-cart. As a man, he parlayed that into a wholesale operation that helped support America's effort in World War II. My grandfather never went to college.

His children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren went to college and became professionals, lawyers, doctors and even a rocket scientist.

So, when I hear people with Islamaphobia, folks that put down Mexican people and other races and religions, I remind them and their children and grandchildren that America has always had a place for immigrants.

America is one of the only countries on earth that was founded and built by peoples of all nationalities ... and without immigrants, building communities and families, the U.S. may just cease to exist at all.

Chris Cantele

Lisle