Know this: the history of the United States is one of immigration outside the bounds of law. Every significant immigrant population in our history (from the Irish, the Italians, Eastern Europeans and Scandinavians to the Chineese, Koreans and Filipinos) have always had substantial "without papers" elements.

It's the most American thing in the world.

"Si se Puede!" goes the chant. "It can be done!" This is the American spirit. This is who we are as a nation. We're about striving, ambition, optimism, the "can do" attitude. This is what has made this country so successful: hard work, competition, meritocracy, and a willingness to take risks and embrace change.

We are the way we are in no small part because most of us (descendants of slaves and those on the Rez excepted) are here because somewhere back in our family history, someone decided to take an enormous leap. Many of our ancestors did not go through the bureaucracy and red tape of acquiring paperwork to make this process "legal."

This is important! It's good! People who make this leap, who are willing to grab life by the horns and make it happen, are the lifeblood of this country. They are inventive. They are entrepreneurial. They hustle. They do what needs to be done to make a better world for their children, infusing the economy and culture with energy.

This has always been how it worked, and it's no secret that this a large part of why America has worked as well. We also got a big statue as a present from France for our rockin' immigrant-loving ways. It's pretty nice.

It's not all wine and roses of course. Immigration is an essential part of what the US is, but it has always created problems, especially on the local level. It places strain on communities and creates change, which inevitably some people dislike.

However, our historical legacy has been to work hard on solving these problems so that we can grow and prosper as a greater whole. It's a part of our history we can be damn proud of, and one we turn away from at our peril.

I hope that people can see the current immigration hoopla for what it is: an election-year tactic cooked up by a corrupt and unpopular Republican congress looking to save their sorry asses in November. The nativists are on the wrong side of history and the wrong side of the facts as well.