Adriano Espaillat: “Today is a great day in our Nation as we live up to our most noble and altruistic ideals. Today, by passing the American…”

“Today is a great day in our Nation as we live up to our most noble and altruistic ideals. Today, by passing the American Dream and Promise Act, we will again reaffirm that we are still a Nation of immigrants. Today, we follow a great tradition that goes back even before Ellis Island, when hundreds of thousands of, mainly European, immigrants from humble, poor beginnings reached our shores in an attempt to better their lives. They made us a more perfect union, strengthening the notion that we are still a nation of immigrants. With H.R. 6, young people and others who are students, teachers, nurses, caregivers, and members of our Armed Forces will be able to fully embrace the potential and live the American Dream, reaffirming that the United States of America is still a nation of immigrants. No one but two of our colleagues can say otherwise. Whether from red States or blue States, we all share an immigrant heritage in one way or another. Some came by force, shackled to their destiny, while others came fleeing violence, poverty, hunger, or in search of liberty and religious freedom. So many came to our Nation, and we are still, Mr. Speaker, a Nation of immigrants.”