This speaker at a ceremony for 423 new citizens from 64 countries reminded them that many of our very successful companies were started by immigrants. Perhaps they will do that too. - - Donna Poisl
By Mike Cassidy, Mercury News Columnist
My little speech must still have been ringing in James R. Taylor's ears when he pulled out his cellphone and called me.
A voice mail from the newly minted U.S. citizen was waiting for me when I got back to the office after speaking at Silicon Valley's main monthly citizenship ceremony. The British native, who spent time in El Salvador while growing up, wanted to give me a heads-up on the cloud-based company he was going to launch.
It's the Silicon Valley immigrant story, isn't it? Immigrants from around the world start up companies here to make better lives for themselves while figuring out a killer way to make life better for the rest of us. Whatever the obstacles, they know they can't be bashful.
"As of today," Taylor, of Livermore, said when I finally reached him, "I'm an official citizen."
Click on the headline above to read the rest of this story! This is only a small part of it.
This country was built by immigrants, it will continue to attract and need immigrants. Some people think there are enough people here now -- people have been saying this since the 1700s and it still is not true. They are needed to make up for our aging population and low birthrate. Immigrants often are entrepreneurs, creating jobs. We must help them become Americans and not just people who live here and think of themselves as visitors. When immigrants succeed here, the whole country benefits.
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