Let’s Recognize the True Role Immigrants Play in Our Country

Approximately 1,200 people from 80 different countries recently took part in a large naturalization ceremony in Austin where I was asked to speak. The ceremony recognized the hard work, dedication and patriotism of the newest citizens of The United States of America. I say newest citizens because, by definition, it was the first day that they officially enjoyed the rights and privileges of a U.S. citizen. But they're not new here - they have been contributing to this nation for a very long time. Their American story did not start today. It started years ago - in small towns and cities around the world. It started with dreams and those dreams were made real by sacrifice.