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With all the talk of immigration lately, I feel compelled to add my voice to the American reaction, especially in light of the fact that this is not my country of birth.

The conservative voices of today express bewilderment regarding supposed conservative leadership that insists we continue our war abroad to keep our enemies away from the homeland, while at the same time fails to secure our national border. As an immigrant to this country who waited enthusiastically for the opportunity to become American, I, too, feel perplexed, angry, and betrayed. It's frustrating that leaders are willing to "turn a blind eye" and allow illegal immigrants the opportunity to enjoy what the legal immigrant population has had to work hard to attain. My father, for instance, was allowed entry to the U.S. after a few years of seeking political asylum. However, the Cuban government required three long years at a hard labor camp before permitting my father to leave for the states. I learned from my father that you only truly appreciate that for which you have had to work hard.

Although today's conservative audience has grown justifiably louder, my main concern is directed at the liberal body of Americans who think it noble to rally for illegal immigrants whom they perceive as collectively incensed over the U.S. government's unwillingness to appreciate their hard work, effort, and sacrifices, which lie at the foundation of the economic success that America enjoys, or so we've been led to believe.

Contrarily, I submit that as an immigrant, it is I who am appreciative of America, and to suggest that the U.S. should bow at my immigrant feet belies a selfishness that, I fear, will undo my country's greatness. Liberals may think that they are doing illegal immigrants a favor by supporting their indignation at the conservative movement that seeks to withhold from them the right to enjoy the American dream. However, this liberal striving on behalf of immigrants can only lead to greater entitlement within the immigrant and, more troubling yet, the general population. Entitlement is fundamentally at odds with gratitude-the necessary ingredient for continued success. If this great American experience is to keep flourishing, then liberals and conservatives alike need to consider that to bestow rights to law-breakers is an act of cowardice. We shouldn't fear illegitimate voices that scream for our attention and act as though they are owed the fruits of legitimate labor.

And so I teach my own children that although they deserve very little, they have been given much. My prayer and hope is that they, too, will learn that America is the great melting pot into which they will add their strengths, abilities, gifts, and yes, their gratitude.

Learn more about this author, Efrain Rodriguez.
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