Every resident of the United States, with the possible exception of Native Americans, descends from an immigrant. (An immigrant is someone who travels to a country of which he or she is not a native with the intention of settling there as a permanent resident.) The United States celebrates that it is a nation of immigrants; it is part of the country's identity and is incorporated into the stories that Americans tell about themselves. In fact, immigration is the basis of the legendary American dream, the belief that people from any background and any nationality can find in the United States the opportunity to work at a secure job, live in a nice home, get an education, and raise their standard of living through their own efforts.

Melting Pot and Mosaic

In order to maintain the sense that citizens...