In 1967 Shahid Kahn landed in New York from Pakistan. His connecting flight to Chicago was diverted by a snowstorm, so the 16 year old flew to St. Louis instead and took a bus to Champaign to the University of Illinois where he was enrolled as an undergrad. He had $500 in his pocket. Kahn got a job as a dishwasher for $1.20 an hour. “I was overjoyed. You couldn’t get a job like that where I came from. My immediate thought was,’ ‘Wow, I can work. I can be my own man. I can control my destiny.”
Kahn eventually got a job as an engineering manager at Flex-N-Gate, an automotove parts manufacturer. Today he owns the company with 6.1 billion in revenues and 12,000 US employees. He’s building a new plant in Detroit now, that will employ another 1000 Americans.
Discrimation of immigrants is not new. 100 years ago there were cries to send the Irish and Germans back. Perhaps it is human nature to reject people who aren’t like you.
Without immigration, there would be no America. Who reading this is not an immigrant or doesn’t owe their existence here to an immigrant?
Our history shows that it’s America’s unique ability to take in immigrants and assimilate them that has been crucial to our incredible record of opportunity, upward mobility and wealth creation. Immigrant success here means success for all Americans.
Beautifully said…………..
I appreciate your perspective, always balanced, thoughtful and challenging.
Your timing of this subject is suspect. Disappointing.
Thank you for saying this, I think it all the time.
“Without immigration, there would be no America”. I totally agree with you.
Absolutely right on target!
Larry for president!
Larry Trevor and I read your post every morning. You are an inspiration to us all. I especially liked your post today, it certainly reminds everyone that America and Canada are diverse nations, made up iof many ethnic groups, we are so fortunate. If you set your mind to it, you can do or be anything!
Thank you for sharing such an inspiring story. There are countless more like this one. This nation’s strength is the amalgam of its people.
When our Founding Fathers immigrated here they established this nation of law and moral law. It is often called the “great experiment” as there has never been a nation like ours. 52 of the 55 Founding Fathers agreed that Christian principles will be our foundation and those who immigrated here would assimilate to those Godly principles as best for a society to operate. Gov’t had very little to do with meddling in peoples lives. Immigrants who come here now are assimilating to a confused country and consequently do not know how they fit in or if they are welcome. Without immigration we would not have a country like ours… without moral law we will not have a country. We need secure borders and order… lets start there.
I do believe that LEGAL immigration is not the issue, as nearly all Americans are courteous, inclusive and generous to a fault. Maybe you could have clarified that the key element to your story was a desire to help build America, not make America into Pakistan for Mr. Khan. Also, ILLEGAL immigration is still a crime.
This only partly true. Given our current political situation I don’t know if you were being unclear, pollyannaish or purposely deceptive. There is a lot of each going on these days. I don’t know of anyone, including our current crop of politicians, that is against all forms of immigration. However, there are a multitude of reasons to stand against illegal imigration. There are wonderful people from around the world who want to come here to become Americans, learn English, contribute, support the constitution, and better their families. Bring them on. Once vetted, we all want them here. The problem is there are also terrible people that desire to come here. Most immigrants are awesome people, but have you really looked into the number of violent crimes committed by many of them? Have you never read any of the stories about criminals being deported repeatedly only to walk right across the border again and in there criminal career graduate to rape or murder? What about those who are deported for repeated DUI and walk back across to continue the same life style and kill a family because they were driving while drunk again?
Finally, if you want mass immigration and a sustainable county at the same time you cannot have a welfare state. I the government did not help you or stand in your way but only inforced the law then that would work. The problem is far to many people come here to take. We must be able to vet anyone coming here. We must be able to stem the massive tide of heroine coming across the southern border. We must also welcome those immigrants who want to work and not take with open arms. Gee, what kind of apparatus would allow that?
Larry, this issue is far to nuanced for people on either side to make such a blanket statement.
Thank you for inspiring us to be better human beings.
The problem with immigration today is the people coming to the usa don’t want to adapt to the american way. we are adapting to their way. my grandparents had to learn to speak english to exist no one printed anything in italian. i resent the fact that i have to push 1 for english. etc., etc.,!!!! i blame the american people also for letting this happen. i think they forgot government is for the people by the people, not the government controlling everything or big business. (smile) just had to comment. weeeooooo.!!!
I came here from Ireland in 1988 with my wife and two children I had $3000 which I had borrowed and Immediately lost $1000 on a deposit for an apartment which we couldn’t rent We found a place in Danbury for $750 a month and got a car for $500 We slept on the floor until we could afford to buy beds I got a job in construction and eventually got more furniture It was tough going but I wouldn’t change it for the world The US has given me opportunities which I am extremely grateful for Life is good Thanks for your post and have a great day
Thank you Larry for your comments. While this is a complicated issue I have to say I believe we become more tolerant of others, open minded, and richer human beings when we are exposed to different cultures and people, which is what has made our country so great for so long. This is a very personal issue for me. I am here because my father was an immigrant and our country welcomed him and my grandparents. We are now making it very difficult for good, well educated, talented people, like my Italian daughter-in-law, to come here and live, and contribute to our country. She has gone through our incredibly complicated, tedious legal process to live here and has been treated with hostility and suspicion along the way, certainly not feeling welcomed, and that makes me very sad and ashamed. This is not the America I was raised to believe in. When we isolate ourselves from others outside of our world, our world becomes small and we, as humans become small and fearful. We can’t afford to go down that road. My family and I will continue to embrace other cultures and people of all backgrounds, I would hope we can do that here in America.
Sounds like Mr Kahn wanted to 1. Work, and 2. Be an American. Most everyone is good with that scenario.
1st. Great comment Larry.
2nd: “legal immigration” I wonder how many of us would be here as Americans if our ancestors had to jump through the same hoops back then that constitutes “legal immigration” now. Many ( I would say most) of our ancestors had to do one thing to “legally” immigrate here……show up. Land on Ellis Island and say you want to be an American. That was all it took…..for decades. It amazes me that a segment of our society can scream about “big government” and “over regulation” , but have no problem with the bloated bureaucracy that is our current immigration policy. We have moved the goal posts so far from their starting point at this time that “illegal immigration” is often the only choice. If I was some poor Hispanic gentlemen living in Mexico and I wanted to escape drug trafficking violence ( whose roots lie squarely at our feet due to our demand for the drugs ) and bring my family to safety there is no way I am waiting for the “proper channels” to play out. I am getting my family to safety.
” Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.” There is no “unless” disclaimer.
You are absolutely correct Larry,but the key word is assimilate.Without their willingness to do that,they are only a burden to themselves and our citizens.
Those of us whose ancestors are indigenous to North America may not agree with you. For the Native American, immigrants greatly contributed to their being “contained” on lands that their people knew were wastelands…and those who put them there knew this as well.
Secondly, times have changed dramatically since the 1960’s, with more and more “immigrants” coming to American to destroy her rather than to enhance her.