I was recently asked to briefly speak on the topic: "Is the illegal immigration population an asset or a burden?" This is a subject that is not only close to my heart but also one of the most divisive issues in America.

As an immigrant to this great country, I do not find this question difficult to address. However, before presenting my perspective, let me establish the foundation upon which my reasoning is based.

When I first arrived at Dulles International Airport, I felt as though I had entered paradise. Immediately, I found America to be a hospitable nation filled with kind and courageous people. Gone were the political and religious oppressions of my homeland—here, freedom and opportunity flourished at every turn. I was deeply enamored with America: its founding principles, its traditions, its flag, its national anthem, its Pledge of Allegiance, and, most importantly, its people.

There are numerous reasons why individuals from around the globe seek to immigrate to America. I believe immigrants can generally be categorized into two distinct groups. America remains the top choice for immigrants worldwide, significantly more so than many European countries. Conversely, it is rare to find Americans emigrating to other nations.

Reasons for Immigration

The motivations for immigration to the United States are diverse, but the primary ones include the pursuit of freedom, escape from religious and political persecution, and economic opportunities. Some individuals leave their homelands because they feel abandoned or failed by their own governments. Others come for the outstanding education system and ultimately decide to stay. Many arrive for marriage and family reasons.

America has also served as a sanctuary for those facing inhumane conditions and lacking basic necessities such as food and shelter. Many seek refuge here due to religious and political persecution. Countless individuals can attest that without America, they or their children might not have survived or could have been subjected to human trafficking or slavery. Even today, religious minorities in oppressive Islamic nations in the Middle East experience such horrors.

A few years ago, I met a young pastor who had fled Iraq to escape a death sentence simply because he was a Christian. He was kidnapped by Islamic terrorists and taken to an isolated desert location where captives were tortured and executed. He was confined in a three-foot-wide, eight-foot-deep hole in the ground, removed daily only to be threatened with execution unless he renounced his Christian faith and converted to Islam. For days, he endured their insidious coercion. He could hear the executions of fellow prisoners and believed his own death was imminent. One night, however, he was miraculously freed and left in the open desert, where survival was highly improbable. Yet, he managed to reach his village and was subsequently brought to America.

Similarly, my own father was falsely accused of proselytizing in a strict Islamic country. He miraculously escaped, and because our family was given the opportunity to come to America, we were afforded the chance at a new life and a prosperous future.

The stories of those who sought refuge and found sanctuary in America are numerous and real. Millions of immigrants can testify that their only hope for survival was reaching American soil. America remains a beacon of safety, economic opportunity, religious and political freedom, and personal autonomy.

Two Categories of Immigrants

Immigrants generally fall into two categories:

1. Assimilators: These individuals come to America with a desire to integrate into society. They embrace American values and traditions, abide by its laws, and respect its founding principles. They learn the language, engage in the culture, and contribute positively to the nation. They recognize America's exceptionalism and strive to uphold and preserve it. Through hard work and dedication, they become successful and contribute economically, culturally, educationally, socially, and spiritually.
2. Occupiers: These individuals arrive in America yet reject its way of life. Some exhibit outright hostility toward American values, refusing to adopt its customs, laws, and traditions. They exploit America's generosity and resources without making any effort to contribute. They seek to live under the laws of their country of origin rather than abide by the American legal system. Many congregate in enclaves that mirror the countries they left behind and use America's tolerance against it.

Some illegal immigrants, despite benefitting from America's protections and opportunities, openly express disdain for its values. They destroy national monuments, desecrate symbols of American heritage, and demand benefits while refusing to integrate. We have seen examples of this in cities and college campuses where extremist groups, such as Hamas supporters, have displayed hostility toward American and Jewish communities. Shockingly, such behavior is often tolerated.

Under the influence of radical leftist ideologies, America has fostered utopian policies of open borders and wealth redistribution. These policies have eroded the nation’s cultural, political, and religious identity. The confusion surrounding nationalism and patriotism has led to policies that allow criminals and terrorists to invade the country unchecked. Many of these individuals harbor sinister intentions aimed at dismantling the American way of life. They have no allegiance to America, nor do they embrace its values.

Those who exploit America's economic wealth while refusing to contribute are a significant burden. They drain resources and undermine the very system that enables prosperity. If left unchecked, such exploitation will lead to the same economic and social collapse that plagued the countries they fled.

It is possible to appreciate and embrace cultural diversity without surrendering national identity. For instance, one can enjoy Chinese cuisine without endorsing communism. Similarly, America can respect the right of Muslims to worship freely while ensuring that religious laws do not replace the Constitution.

The Need for National Identity

We must distinguish between immigrants who assimilate and contribute and those who seek to transform America into the country they abandoned. America must restore and preserve its national identity. Those who come here must be expected to integrate into the American way of life.

So, in response to the original question—Is the illegal immigration population an asset or a burden?—the answer is both. Those who assimilate and contribute are an asset. Those who exploit, plunder, and refuse to integrate are a burden.

Yes, to assimilators, no to occupiers—there is no other way.