[jfmiller28]

Hot Dog! The best Americans (US Citizens) are the children of immigrants. I wish I had a way to prove this, but for now take it as my opinion. By and large immigrants (legal or no) have a rather minimal impact on US culture, and tend to occupy the extremes of the educational and economic spectrum. For most, integration is difficult and can never be fully obtained.

The children of immigrants on the other hand have a foot in both worlds. They have heard their parents tell them about the opportunities that our country provides, and see in their parents how hard one must work to obtain them. They also have the advantage of full unquestioned citizenship (until the Tea Party messes thing up) and cultural acclimation that their parents lacked, along with social networks that extend beyond the immigrant community.

My experience is that the children of immigrants are more political and socially active then their peer with more established ties to community. They are better at taking risks and working for their own success. Most important, they understand the value of the opportunities, and the personal responsibilities that come with them, far better then other Americans who feel entitled by their birth to all that the country can give them.

Say what you will about immigration and its effect on jobs and the economy, but make sure to keep the children. They are worth every penny spent on their education, health care and other social services.