The USA attracts immigrants because, more than most countries, it rewards merit and forgives failure, it attempts to see all people as equal before the law and it is one of the best nations in the world at absorbing newcomers.

Comparisons matter. If you compare the USA to perfection we come up short. There is lots that we need to work on. But if you compare the USA today to the USA 60 years ago we are improving. If you compare the USA to other countries in the world with regard to rewarding merit, equality before the law and absorbing newcomers we do remarkably well. But most importantly if we focused on opening the paths to immigration and allowed people to make their own choices we would grow and the world would prosper.

Photo is of a sunrise in Pasadena, CA