The Greatest Country in the History of the World, A Nation of Immigrants

As a prosecutor and trial lawyer, I’ve spent a good deal of time in federal court over the years—including serving as CT Attorney General and as the U.S. Attorney for the District of Connecticut, the chief federal prosecutor, but some of my most moving and meaningful courtroom experiences have been as a guest at naturalization ceremonies.

Every Friday, I try to attend at least one of these special, inspiring occasions, when I celebrate with new citizens from all over the world. In my brief talk to them, I thank them for becoming citizens and say, we are the greatest country because we are a nation of immigrants.

Nearly everyone in our country has an immigration story. Most people in the United States are descendants of immigrants. I was born in America, but my father came to the U.S. from Germany in 1935, escaping persecution in the Holocaust. He came alone, at 18 years old. He spoke virtually no English, had not much more than the shirt on his back, and knew no one. This country saved his life and gave him a chance to succeed.

He came to America for the same reason that people continue to do so today: for opportunity, for freedom.

When I look out into the audience of new citizens in the courtroom, I see my Dad. And I see America—different races, different religions, different national backgrounds from all over the world, all coming together as citizens. As the motto of our country says, E pluribus unum, out of many, one.

You won’t find anything like it in Russia or China or anywhere else. There’s no other country like ours—where so many different people come together, work together, live together. In fact, our strength as a country lies in our differences and our diversity. Immigrants bring different talents and ideas. Our differences give America energy and ambition and drive. In America, we celebrate our differences.

And in this country, we don’t have second class citizens. Everyone is equal under the law. No one is above the law. Some people would like to take rights away—who think they are above the law. The Trump Administration has an anti-immigration enforcement policy that has shown no limits in its cruelty, terrorizing communities with violence, breaking the law and violating the Constitution.

But our country will not stand for this heartless cruelty, going against all that makes our country great. I tell the new citizens in that courtroom that I will fight it.

As I look at these immigrants, I’m inspired beyond words. Their courage and humanity reinvigorate and reinforce my own sense of our nation’s strength and greatness. I say to them from my heart: Whatever your race, creed, or background, you belong here—my fellow Americans—in the greatest country in the history of the world, a nation of immigrants.

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