By Abiola Olawale
In light of the several remarks made by United States President Donald Trump regarding immigration, a speech delivered by former late US President Ronald Reagan has come to the forefront once again.
In a video made on January 11, 1989, Reagan, the 40th president of the US, who addressed Americans from the Oval Office in his final presidential speech, covered a multitude of topics, with his reflections on immigration standing out.
Reagan highlighted the idea of the American Dream, portraying it as a guiding light for countless individuals seeking freedom and opportunity.
He acknowledged the impact immigrants have made throughout the nation’s history, asserting that their diverse backgrounds contribute to the richness of the United States.
Among his notable references was the Statue of Liberty, which he described as a “beacon of welcome” standing tall, with its lamp of liberty still shining brightly across the globe.
He stated: “One final thought, an observation about a country which I love, it was stated best in a letter I received not long ago, a man wrote me and said, you can go to live in France, but you cannot become a Frenchman.
“You can go to live in Germany or Turkey or Japan, but you cannot become a German, a Turk or Japanese, but anyone from any corner of the earth can come to live in America and become an American.
“The torch of Lady Liberty symbolizes our freedom and represents our heritage. With our parents, our grandparents and our ancestors. It is that lady who gives us our great and special place in the world. For it’s the great life force of each generation of new Americans that guarantees that America’s triumph shall continue, surpassed into the next century and beyond. Other countries may seek to compete with us, but in one vital area, as a beacon of freedom and opportunity that draws the people of the world, no country on earth comes close this, I believe, is one of the most important sources of America’s greatness.
“We lead the world because, unique among nations, we draw our people, our strength, from every country and every corner of the world, and by doing so, we continuously renew and enrich our nation while other countries cling to the stale past. Here in America, we breathe life into dreams, we create the future, and the world follows us into tomorrow, thanks to each wave of new arrivals to this land of opportunity, we’re a nation forever young, forever bursting with energy and new ideas and always on the cutting edge, always leading the world to the next frontier.
“This quality is vital to our future as a nation. If we ever closed the door to new Americans, our leadership in the world would soon be lost.”
In closing, Reagan issued a powerful call to continue welcoming immigrants, suggesting that the very essence of America’s greatness lies in its capacity to embrace new people and innovative ideas.
The speech of the late US President has begun to trend, particularly after Trump repeatedly promised to execute the “largest deportation operation” in US history. He had revealed plans to include using federal, state, and local law enforcement in coordinated raids, with a particular focus on those with criminal backgrounds but extending to a broader undocumented population.
Also, hours after his inauguration, Trump signed an Executive Order attempting to end birthright citizenship for children ⅝born to parents without legal status or on temporary visas in the US. This order has become the subject of legal debates across the country.
