Happy National Immigrants’ Day!

Today, October 28, is national immigrants’ day. Established by Congress and proclaimed by President Reagan in 1987, the holiday aims to remember the country’s history as a “nation of immigrants” (a phrase recently restored to the US Citizenship and Immigration Service’s mission statement) and highlight the contributions and innovations of immigrants in America. 

An explanation of the occassion describes US immigration history succinctly and notes as key moments: the federal government’s regulation of immigration beginning in 1890; the creation of Ellis Island in 1981 (Angel Island is not mentioned, but it was founded in 1910); and a high water mark of immigration in 1987.  I would include 1952, 1965, and 1980 as key moments in the rewriting of US immigration and refugee law and 2001 as a key moment in the reorientation of US immigration toward national security. 

Nothwithstanding some important omissions, I appreciate the spirit of the remembrance: “As we celebrate National Immigrants Day, we also celebrate the determination, ingenuity, and spirit immigrants continue to add to our melting pot of cultures we call America.” Some recommendations for commemorating the day include: (1) researching your family’s immigration and citizenship journey, (2) visiting an immigration museum, such as Ellis Island or Angel island; and (3) taking the US citizenship test to understand the shared commitments of Americans and the process immigrants go through to claim the category.

MHC