--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Its possible to shape a law that upholds…" description: "\"Its possible to shape a law that upholds our tradition as a nation of laws and a nation of immigrants.\" — Barack Obama" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f18/barack-obama-17_immigration_its-possible-to-shape-a-law-that-upholds_2730976.jpg" --- # Its possible to shape a law that upholds our tradition as… ![“Its possible to shape a law that upholds our tradition as a nation of laws and a nation of immigrants.” quote by Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f18/barack-obama-17_immigration_its-possible-to-shape-a-law-that-upholds_2730976.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f18/barack-obama-17_immigration_its-possible-to-shape-a-law-that-upholds_2730976.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f18/barack-obama-17_immigration_its-possible-to-shape-a-law-that-upholds_2730976.jpg) > “Its possible to shape a law that upholds our tradition as a nation of laws and a nation of immigrants.” [Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barack-obama/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Laws can honor tradition while embracing immigrant contributions. **In simple terms:** Legal frameworks should reflect heritage and openness. Key Takeaway Craft inclusive legislation respecting history. Themes immigration law tradition Mood thoughtful inspirational Type legal social When to use this quote - border security - citizenship pathways - civic education - community building Key Concepts constitutional law social integration policy design Questions to Reflect On - How can laws stay relevant over time? - What values should guide immigration policy? A Different Perspective Balancing tradition with change is complex. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Immigration](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/immigration/) [Law](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/law/) ## Related quotes > [We are a nation of laws and a nation of immigrants.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-inglis/we-are-a-nation-of-laws-and-a-nation-of-immigrants/) [Bob Inglis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-inglis/) > [Therefore, if we are a Nation of laws and a Nation of immigrants, immigration should occur within a legal framework, not through the machinations…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-d-hayworth/therefore-if-we-are-a-nation-of-laws-and-a-nation-of-immigrants/) [J. D. Hayworth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-d-hayworth/) > [I think it's so important we're a nation of laws but also a nation of immigrants.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/raja-krishnamoorthi/i-think-it-s-so-important-we-re-a-nation-of-laws-but-also-a-nation-of/) [Raja Krishnamoorthi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/raja-krishnamoorthi/) > [We are a nation of laws, not a nation that ignores laws if it benefits the Democrat Party.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ted-nugent/we-are-a-nation-of-laws-not-a-nation-that-ignores-laws-if-it-benefits/) [Ted Nugent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ted-nugent/) > [A nation,” he heard himself say, “consists of its laws. A nation does not consist of its situation at a given time. If an…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-gibson/a-nation-he-heard-himself-say-consists-of-its-laws-a-nation-does-not/) [William Gibson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-gibson/) > [We are a nation of immigrants. But we are also a nation of laws. It is wrong and ultimately self-defeating for a nation of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-j-clinton/we-are-a-nation-of-immigrants-but-we-are-also-a-nation-of-laws-it-is/) [William J. Clinton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-j-clinton/) > [We have asylum laws that provide humanitarian relief. Those who qualify under those laws are entitled to the relief that we extend. Those who…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alejandro-mayorkas/we-have-asylum-laws-that-provide-humanitarian-relief-those-who/) [Alejandro Mayorkas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alejandro-mayorkas/) > [We are a nation of immigrants and a nation of laws.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alejandro-mayorkas/we-are-a-nation-of-immigrants-and-a-nation-of-laws/) [Alejandro Mayorkas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alejandro-mayorkas/) > [America and Mexico are both a nation of immigrants and we are a nation of laws and we can act accordingly.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hillary-clinton/america-and-mexico-are-both-a-nation-of-immigrants-and-we-are-a/) [Hillary Clinton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hillary-clinton/) > [We are a nation of immigrants, but we are also a nation of laws.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elton-gallegly/we-are-a-nation-of-immigrants-but-we-are-also-a-nation-of-laws/) [Elton Gallegly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elton-gallegly/) > [It is an awesome responsibility to demonstrate not only from coast to coast and border to border, but around the world, what this nation…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alejandro-mayorkas/it-is-an-awesome-responsibility-to-demonstrate-not-only-from-coast-to/) [Alejandro Mayorkas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alejandro-mayorkas/) > [I think the American people have a generous instinct. They understand that we're a nation of immigrants. But if those folks are going to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barack-obama/i-think-the-american-people-have-a-generous-instinct-they-understand/) [Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barack-obama/) > [ We \[Americans\] are a nation of immigrants. We all understand what this country has become because talent from all around the world wants to… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barack-obama/we-americans-are-a-nation-of-immigrants-we-all-understand-what-this/) [Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barack-obama/) > [My fellow Americans, we are and always will be a nation of immigrants. We were strangers once, too.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barack-obama/my-fellow-americans-we-are-and-always-will-be-a-nation-of-immigrants/) [Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barack-obama/) > [America is a nation of immigrants. And so the question is, how do we make legal immigration faster, less bureaucratic, cut the red tape?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barack-obama/america-is-a-nation-of-immigrants-and-so-the-question-is-how-do-we/) [Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barack-obama/) ## More by Barack Obama > [So here's what I want you to know, and here's what I want all our men and women in uniform to know: Because of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barack-obama/so-here-s-what-i-want-you-to-know-and-here-s-what-i-want-all-our-men/) [Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barack-obama/) > [The peaceful transition of power is one of the hallmarks of our democracy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barack-obama/the-peaceful-transition-of-power-is-one-of-the-hallmarks-of-our/) [Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barack-obama/) > [As opposed to getting into arguments about, well, these folks have been treated fairly so now we're going to be doing things that, very…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barack-obama/as-opposed-to-getting-into-arguments-about-well-these-folks-have-been/) [Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barack-obama/) > [Donald Trump is temperamentally unfit.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barack-obama/donald-trump-is-temperamentally-unfit/) [Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barack-obama/) > [What we've said to the girls is: 'If you guys ever decide that you're going to get a tattoo, then mommy and me will…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barack-obama/what-we-ve-said-to-the-girls-is-if-you-guys-ever-decide-that-you-re/) [Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barack-obama/) > [Nobody is listening to your telephone calls.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barack-obama/nobody-is-listening-to-your-telephone-calls/) [Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barack-obama/) > [All of us take offense to anyone who reaps the rewards of living in America without taking on the responsibilities of living in America.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barack-obama/all-of-us-take-offense-to-anyone-who-reaps-the-rewards-of-living-in/) [Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barack-obama/) > [The world is complicated and full of grays, but there's still truth there to be found.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barack-obama/the-world-is-complicated-and-full-of-grays-but-there-s-still-truth/) [Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barack-obama/) > [ That is another theme in the book \[Dreams from My Father\]. How do we exercise more empathy in our public discourse? How do we… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barack-obama/that-is-another-theme-in-the-book-dreams-from-my-father-how-do-we/) [Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barack-obama/) > [I can say across Europe that many principles that have been taken for granted here around free speech, and around civil liberties and an…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barack-obama/i-can-say-across-europe-that-many-principles-that-have-been-taken-for/) [Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barack-obama/) > [So Americans understand the costs of war. Yet as a country, we will never tolerate our security being threatened, nor stand idly by when…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barack-obama/so-americans-understand-the-costs-of-war-yet-as-a-country-we-will/) [Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barack-obama/) > [I want to thank the Greek people publicly for their humanitarian response to the crisis of so many migrants and refugees seeking safety in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barack-obama/i-want-to-thank-the-greek-people-publicly-for-their-humanitarian/) [Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barack-obama/) > [We had a farewell dinner for some of my senior staff, and generally everybody likes to talk about how cool I was.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barack-obama/we-had-a-farewell-dinner-for-some-of-my-senior-staff-and-generally/) [Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barack-obama/) > [ It's good to get fresh legs in \[the White house\]. I think that it refreshes our democracy. ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barack-obama/it-s-good-to-get-fresh-legs-in-the-white-house-i-think-that-it/) [Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barack-obama/) > [Believe it or not, entertainment is part of our American diplomacy, it is part of what makes us exceptional, part of what makes us…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barack-obama/believe-it-or-not-entertainment-is-part-of-our-american-diplomacy-it/) [Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barack-obama/) [Explore all 3,624 Barack Obama quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barack-obama/) ## More Immigration quotes > [That's what this country is. It's made up of immigrants.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bria-vinaite/that-s-what-this-country-is-it-s-made-up-of-immigrants/) [Bria Vinaite](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bria-vinaite/) > [Throughout our history, the words of the Declaration have inspired immigrants from around the world to set sail to our shores. These immigrants have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-w-bush/throughout-our-history-the-words-of-the-declaration-have-inspired/) [George W. Bush](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-w-bush/) > [Europe is creating the flight of refugees that's tearing it apart politically, and leading rightwing nationalist parties to gain power to withdraw from the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-hudson/europe-is-creating-the-flight-of-refugees-that-s-tearing-it-apart/) [Michael Hudson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-hudson/) > [We need to fight to prove to people that it is possible to form an E.U. migration policy that is in line with the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/viktor-orban/we-need-to-fight-to-prove-to-people-that-it-is-possible-to-form-an-e/) [Viktor Orban](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/viktor-orban/) > [All of us take offense to anyone who reaps the rewards of living in America without taking on the responsibilities of living in America.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barack-obama/all-of-us-take-offense-to-anyone-who-reaps-the-rewards-of-living-in/) [Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barack-obama/) > [A lot of Broadway has that immigrant narrative of America as a place where you can become something else against all odds.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deborah-kass/a-lot-of-broadway-has-that-immigrant-narrative-of-america-as-a-place/) [Deborah Kass](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deborah-kass/) > [Ed Koch once said that New York City is where immigrants come to audition for America. That's what happened to my parents; that's what…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lin-manuel-miranda/ed-koch-once-said-that-new-york-city-is-where-immigrants-come-to/) [Lin-Manuel Miranda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lin-manuel-miranda/) > [“If all the developed countries would let in just 3% more immigrants, the world’s poor would have $305 billion more to spend, say scientists…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rutger-bregman/if-all-the-developed-countries-would-let-in-just-3-more-immigrants/) [Rutger Bregman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rutger-bregman/) > [“...the haunted always take refuge in stillness.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christina-dodd/the-haunted-always-take-refuge-in-stillness/) [Christina Dodd](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christina-dodd/) > [These men of many nations must be taught American ways, the English language, and the right way to live.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-ford/these-men-of-many-nations-must-be-taught-american-ways-the-english/) [Henry Ford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-ford/) > [Let's be honest, if the Democrats didn't support ignoring our nation's immigration laws, there is no way they could win the presidency or a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ted-nugent/let-s-be-honest-if-the-democrats-didn-t-support-ignoring-our-nation-s/) [Ted Nugent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ted-nugent/) > [I think what Democrats need to do is they need to work for the country and make sure that not only the southern border…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jon-tester/i-think-what-democrats-need-to-do-is-they-need-to-work-for-the/) [Jon Tester](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jon-tester/) > [We need to remain a nation that doesn't just welcome but that celebrates legal immigrants who come here seeking to pursue the American Dream.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ted-cruz/we-need-to-remain-a-nation-that-doesn-t-just-welcome-but-that/) [Ted Cruz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ted-cruz/) > [The Chinese describe themselves as political refugees. Many base that claim on China's strict population laws, which allow them to have only one child.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ed-koch/the-chinese-describe-themselves-as-political-refugees-many-base-that/) [Ed Koch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ed-koch/) > [“The next morning, the refugees rose from their agitation to the realization that they were slowly being erased from the world, from its history…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/the-next-morning-the-refugees-rose-from-their-agitation-to-the/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) [Browse all 4,018 Immigration quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/immigration/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Its possible to shape a law that upholds our tradition as a nation of laws and a nation of immigrants.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Barack Obama" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barack-obama/its-possible-to-shape-a-law-that-upholds-our-tradition-as-a-nation-of/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Immigration" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barack-obama/its-possible-to-shape-a-law-that-upholds-our-tradition-as-a-nation-of/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f18/barack-obama-17_immigration_its-possible-to-shape-a-law-that-upholds_2730976.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f18/barack-obama-17_immigration_its-possible-to-shape-a-law-that-upholds_2730976.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f18/barack-obama-17_immigration_its-possible-to-shape-a-law-that-upholds_2730976.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Its possible to shape a law that upholds our tradition as a nation of laws and a nation of immigrants.” — Barack Obama", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Barack Obama", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barack-obama/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "Its possible to shape a law...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barack-obama/its-possible-to-shape-a-law-that-upholds-our-tradition-as-a-nation-of/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barack-obama/its-possible-to-shape-a-law-that-upholds-our-tradition-as-a-nation-of/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```