--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: We are a nation of immigrants." description: "\"We are a nation of immigrants.\" — Mikie Sherrill" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3ae/mikie-sherrill-5904_immigrants_we-are-a-nation-of-immigrants-2144937_2144937.jpg" --- # We are a nation of immigrants. ![“We are a nation of immigrants.” quote by Mikie Sherrill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3ae/mikie-sherrill-5904_immigrants_we-are-a-nation-of-immigrants-2144937_2144937.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3ae/mikie-sherrill-5904_immigrants_we-are-a-nation-of-immigrants-2144937_2144937.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3ae/mikie-sherrill-5904_immigrants_we-are-a-nation-of-immigrants-2144937_2144937.jpg) > “We are a nation of immigrants.” [Mikie Sherrill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mikie-sherrill/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. He highlights that the country’s identity is shaped by immigration. **In simple terms:** We are built by immigrants. Key Takeaway Celebrate diversity. Themes immigration national identity inclusion Mood proud reflective Type political philosophical When to use this quote - education - political discourse - community building Key Concepts cultural mosaic policy history Questions to Reflect On - How does immigration enrich society? - What challenges arise? A Different Perspective Immigration debates can be polarizing. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Immigrants](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/immigrants/) [Immigration](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/immigration/) [Nation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/nation/) ## Related quotes > [We are a nation of immigrants - all of us.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-menendez/we-are-a-nation-of-immigrants-all-of-us/) [Bob Menendez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-menendez/) > [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/) > [We are indeed a nation of immigrants. People who choose to come to America have always been one of our greatest sources of national…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/we-are-indeed-a-nation-of-immigrants-people-who-choose-to-come-to/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Americans are a nation of immigrants.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-kaine/americans-are-a-nation-of-immigrants/) [Tim Kaine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-kaine/) > [Yes, America is a nation of immigrants - but the immigrants have to enter legally.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charlie-kirk/yes-america-is-a-nation-of-immigrants-but-the-immigrants-have-to/) [Charlie Kirk](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charlie-kirk/) > [Our goal should be to protect our borders and our national security, while instituting humane policies that reflect our values as a nation of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jaime-harrison/our-goal-should-be-to-protect-our-borders-and-our-national-security/) [Jaime Harrison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jaime-harrison/) > [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 are a nation of immigrants. We are the children and grandchildren and great-grandchildren of the ones who wanted a better life, the driven…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mitt-romney/we-are-a-nation-of-immigrants-we-are-the-children-and-grandchildren/) [Mitt Romney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mitt-romney/) > [America is a nation of immigrants. We have to have a functioning immigration system.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-kaine/america-is-a-nation-of-immigrants-we-have-to-have-a-functioning/) [Tim Kaine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-kaine/) > [This is a nation of immigrants. We welcome people coming to this country as immigrants. My dad was born in Mexico of American parents;…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mitt-romney/this-is-a-nation-of-immigrants-we-welcome-people-coming-to-this/) [Mitt Romney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mitt-romney/) > [America is a nation of immigrants, and we should treat those who come to our country with dignity and respect.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hillary-clinton/america-is-a-nation-of-immigrants-and-we-should-treat-those-who-come/) [Hillary Clinton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hillary-clinton/) > [ 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/) > [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/) > [As the 109th Congress continues to debate legislation that will affect the lives of immigrants, it is important for us to remember that we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jose-serrano/as-the-109th-congress-continues-to-debate-legislation-that-will/) [Jose Serrano](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jose-serrano/) > [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/) ## More by Mikie Sherrill > [There are serious and legitimate concerns about academic espionage at our universities.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mikie-sherrill/there-are-serious-and-legitimate-concerns-about-academic-espionage-at/) [Mikie Sherrill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mikie-sherrill/) > [With the incredible rate of growth of autism diagnoses in New Jersey, it is critical that we support the research, education, and access to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mikie-sherrill/with-the-incredible-rate-of-growth-of-autism-diagnoses-in-new-jersey/) [Mikie Sherrill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mikie-sherrill/) > [The burden of student loan debt weighs heavily on both students and families across New Jersey.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mikie-sherrill/the-burden-of-student-loan-debt-weighs-heavily-on-both-students-and/) [Mikie Sherrill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mikie-sherrill/) > [There are few things that define us as a country more distinctly than the idea of the American Dream. The idea that anyone can…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mikie-sherrill/there-are-few-things-that-define-us-as-a-country-more-distinctly-than/) [Mikie Sherrill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mikie-sherrill/) > [I want my kids to grow up in a world where everybody gets a fair shot.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mikie-sherrill/i-want-my-kids-to-grow-up-in-a-world-where-everybody-gets-a-fair-shot/) [Mikie Sherrill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mikie-sherrill/) > [As a former federal prosecutor with experience prosecuting both violent and white-collar criminals, I've seen what it looks like when the powerful prey on…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mikie-sherrill/as-a-former-federal-prosecutor-with-experience-prosecuting-both/) [Mikie Sherrill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mikie-sherrill/) > [The security and integrity of our election system remains paramount.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mikie-sherrill/the-security-and-integrity-of-our-election-system-remains-paramount/) [Mikie Sherrill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mikie-sherrill/) > [The Child Care is Essential Act and the Child Care for Economic Recovery Act will deliver urgently-needed relief to providers and working families.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mikie-sherrill/the-child-care-is-essential-act-and-the-child-care-for-economic/) [Mikie Sherrill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mikie-sherrill/) > [The toll of COVID-19 on the state of New Jersey cannot be understated.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mikie-sherrill/the-toll-of-covid-19-on-the-state-of-new-jersey-cannot-be-understated/) [Mikie Sherrill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mikie-sherrill/) > [A key part of our democracy is having a marketplace of ideas, open forums where people with diverse viewpoints can be heard and treated…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mikie-sherrill/a-key-part-of-our-democracy-is-having-a-marketplace-of-ideas-open/) [Mikie Sherrill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mikie-sherrill/) > [The Great American Outdoors Act is landmark conservation legislation to protect our public lands, including right here in New Jersey.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mikie-sherrill/the-great-american-outdoors-act-is-landmark-conservation-legislation/) [Mikie Sherrill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mikie-sherrill/) > [I told New Jerseyans that I would find ways to work for commonsense, bipartisan solutions to some of our greatest challenges.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mikie-sherrill/i-told-new-jerseyans-that-i-would-find-ways-to-work-for-commonsense/) [Mikie Sherrill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mikie-sherrill/) > [I was a policy office in my final tour in the Navy, a Russian policy officer, and we were always thinking about our interactions…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mikie-sherrill/i-was-a-policy-office-in-my-final-tour-in-the-navy-a-russian-policy/) [Mikie Sherrill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mikie-sherrill/) > [Religious freedom sits at the core of who we are as Americans.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mikie-sherrill/religious-freedom-sits-at-the-core-of-who-we-are-as-americans/) [Mikie Sherrill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mikie-sherrill/) > [I've always been interested in politics.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mikie-sherrill/i-ve-always-been-interested-in-politics/) [Mikie Sherrill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mikie-sherrill/) [Explore all 100 Mikie Sherrill quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mikie-sherrill/) ## More Immigrants 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/) > [We're going to create factory jobs for recent immigrants, and Donald Trump is going to take care of them. That's why his numbers, even…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeff-sessions/we-re-going-to-create-factory-jobs-for-recent-immigrants-and-donald/) [Jeff Sessions](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeff-sessions/) > [If you chose a particular religion, you were siding with the government religion of whatever region you were in. That's never been true in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-jacoby/if-you-chose-a-particular-religion-you-were-siding-with-the/) [Susan Jacoby](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-jacoby/) > [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/) > [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/) > [I don't like it when I see a racist comedian go up and say, 'What are we gonna do about all these immigrants?' and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ricky-gervais/i-don-t-like-it-when-i-see-a-racist-comedian-go-up-and-say-what-are/) [Ricky Gervais](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ricky-gervais/) > [ 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/) > [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/) > [Royalty has always been an unconscious but all-consuming goal of the European immigrant.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vine-deloria-jr/royalty-has-always-been-an-unconscious-but-all-consuming-goal-of-the/) [Vine Deloria Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vine-deloria-jr/) > [ Most incredibly, because to me this is unbelievable, we have no idea who these \[immigrants\] are, where they come from. I always say Trojan… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donald-trump/most-incredibly-because-to-me-this-is-unbelievable-we-have-no-idea/) [Donald Trump](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donald-trump/) > [I remember my own life as a small boy, son of Jewish immigrants, in a janitor's flat on Orchard and Stanton streets on the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jacob-k-javits/i-remember-my-own-life-as-a-small-boy-son-of-jewish-immigrants-in-a/) [Jacob K. Javits](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jacob-k-javits/) > [There are a number of much less expensive alternatives to detaining immigrants than locking them up somewhere.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-foster/there-are-a-number-of-much-less-expensive-alternatives-to-detaining/) [Bill Foster](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-foster/) > [ \[We need to \] select immigrants based on their likelihood of success in U.S. society and their ability to be financially self- sufficient. ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donald-trump/we-need-to-select-immigrants-based-on-their-likelihood-of-success-in/) [Donald Trump](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donald-trump/) > [I was a very sickly child. My parents were immigrants. They were not decorous. They were not discreet. They always thought I was gonna…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maurice-sendak/i-was-a-very-sickly-child-my-parents-were-immigrants-they-were-not/) [Maurice Sendak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maurice-sendak/) [Browse all 1,321 Immigrants quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/immigrants/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "We are a nation of immigrants.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Mikie Sherrill" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mikie-sherrill/we-are-a-nation-of-immigrants/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Immigrants" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mikie-sherrill/we-are-a-nation-of-immigrants/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3ae/mikie-sherrill-5904_immigrants_we-are-a-nation-of-immigrants-2144937_2144937.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3ae/mikie-sherrill-5904_immigrants_we-are-a-nation-of-immigrants-2144937_2144937.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3ae/mikie-sherrill-5904_immigrants_we-are-a-nation-of-immigrants-2144937_2144937.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“We are a nation of immigrants.” — Mikie Sherrill", "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": "Mikie Sherrill", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mikie-sherrill/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "We are a nation of immigrants.", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mikie-sherrill/we-are-a-nation-of-immigrants/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mikie-sherrill/we-are-a-nation-of-immigrants/#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 } } ] } ```