Diversity of immigrants enriches US culture
It’s hard to think of Ohio without thinking of our tradition of welcoming immigrants. Some of our favorite Buckeye landmarks are the work of immigrants. For example, Cedar Point was founded by Louis Zistel, a German immigrant, and Cincinnati chili was brought here by Greek immigrant Nicholas Lambrinides.
Collectively, immigrants have always made a tremendous economic impact — consider that 4.8 percent of the state’s workforce and 6.7 percent of all business owners in Ohio are foreignborn. Ohio’s immigrants today represent $342 billion in spending power and paid $125 billion in taxes in 2014.
Add to this that historically, Germans, Irish, and Italians defined Ohio’s culture; and in the 21st century, Hispanics, Asians and Africans are adding to our diverse communities. We celebrate our immigrant heritage.
June marked the fourthannual Immigrant Heritage Month across the country, and many Ohioans did their part to mark the occasion. In divisive times like the present, the month gave us an opportunity to join together to celebrate
and explore our heritage and shared diversity that forms the unique story of America.
I came to this country 50 years ago as a graduate student in engineering. My undergraduate education was fully paid by the government of India. I paid fully for my graduate engineering education in Chicago by borrowing money from family. All that investment led me to start my life as an entrepreneur in Ohio and create more than a thousand jobs and create award-winning software to help deal with the opioid crisis that we are facing nationally.
I have been blessed that the investment that the government of India made in educating me and the sacrifice my family made in supporting my education in the United States has allowed me to succeed in this country and make some positive contributions to our society. I worry about the current anti-immigrant environment in our country that fails to recognize the positive impact of immigration, especially of educated immigrants who come to our country either for further education or for technical employment.
As an Asian Indian immigrant myself, I am very excited for this year’s activities. When I came to the United States during 1967, life was very difficult for immigrants. It was not easy. It was hard to find that first job and it was very difficult to get credit for that first car. I was surprised when I moved to Ohio during late 1970s. Ohioans were always so welcoming, and I feel at home now in central Ohio.
I am encouraged by the participation in Immigrant Heritage Month, which gathers support from artists, elected officials and more than 250 corporate and nonprofit partners across all 50 states. We hope to build on that success.
It’s a tough time to be an immigrant in the United States, given the vehemence and tenor of current debates about immigration reform and how best to integrate foreign-born residents. We believe that common-sense immigration reform is important, but in the meantime, we must make those who are here today feel welcomed and part of American society.
Immigrant Heritage Month is a celebration of heritage, culture, and diversity but immigrants need their neighbors’ support all year long. All individuals — regardless of where they are from or how long they have lived in the U.S. — can celebrate their heritage and share what it means to be an immigrant (or the ally of immigrants) in America today. We should recognize the value immigrants bring to our communities, our economy, our culture, and our collective identity.
Start by spreading the word with the hashtags #IAmAnImmigrant and #IStandWithImmigrants and sharing your story, whether it’s your own, your parents’, or someone else you know — or just say “thank you” to an immigrant you know.