Reaffirming New York's Commitment to Immigration
By Mayor Rudy Giuliani
Last week, I was honored to join President Bush and Governor Pataki
in welcoming 29 of our newest fellow Americans during a naturalization
ceremony on Ellis Island. This was President Bush's first visit to
New York City since becoming President, and it was appropriate that
he began his trip by participating in the kind of ceremony that established
our City as the "The Gateway to America."
No less than forty percent of Americans can trace their heritage
back to a relative who entered our country through Ellis Island. Millions
of immigrants, including my grandparents, entered America through
the Port of New York, and many more carry on that tradition today.
In fact, each year more than 100,000 of the 800,000 new immigrants
that come to the United States make their way to New York. These individuals
add immeasurably to the economic, civic, and cultural life of our
city, and they serve as a constant reminder of the courage, determination,
and idealism that fueled those who have sought opportunity in our
country for more than 200 years.
Immigration played a crucial role in our city's population increase
over the last decade, with nearly 1.2 million immigrants entering
New York City in the 1990's. As in the past, immigration is the key
to what makes New York the greatest city in the world. We embrace
those who speak different languages, who practice different religions,
and who share their different cultures with us. This diversity is
our city's greatest source of strength.
New York is a city of immigrants within a nation of immigrants. More
than 30% of our city's residents are foreign-born. Half of the babies
born in New York have at least one foreign-born parent. And the people
of our city speak more than 120 different languages and dialects.
New York is the most diverse city in the history of the world, and
that is our greatest source of strength.
Most Americans are citizens by birth. Immigrants are Americans by
choice. They approach our country with a very personal understanding
of the value of equal opportunity and freedom.
One way to gauge their dedication to these principles is their turnout
at the polls. According to the New Americans Exit Poll, conducted
by Barnard College at Columbia University, two-thirds of the city's
450,000 first-time voters last November were first-generation immigrants.
These new Americans are not about to take the blessings and freedom
of our nation for granted. They serve as an example to us all, and
remind us why we are so fortunate to call ourselves citizens of the
United States.
Recently, I took steps to protect the rights of immigrants by raising
awareness about the Legal Immigration and Family Equity Act (the LIFE
Act), which makes it easier to get an immigrant visa without having
to leave the country. I now join President Bush in supporting an extension
of this provision of the Immigration and Nationality Act, known as
Section 245(i). We should protect the integrity of our city's history
of immigration by ensuring that all individuals who apply for citizenship
are treated respectfully and that all individuals who qualify for
citizenship are made fully aware of their rights as Americans.
For these 29 new Americans, last week's naturalization ceremony on
Ellis Island represented the fulfillment of their American Dream.
From the day they became American citizens they had the same rights
and responsibilities as someone whose family has been here for hundreds
of years. We have built our city and our nation upon the foundation
of immigration. It is a tradition that we honor by continuing to welcome
immigrants with the clear understanding that they make our city and
our nation stronger.
