It’s great to be an immigration lawyer in Boston, where some of the first blows for American liberty were struck, and which provided leadership for the patriot cause. My office is a short walk from the Boston immigration court and USCIS, and there are landmarks and memorials to our founding fathers along the way.

As we approach the day when we celebrate our country’s beginnings, I think of what it is that makes the US a place that draws people from all over the world.

People still come here seeking opportunity and religious and political freedom, knowing that they’re leaving behind loved ones, roots and memories. It’s a difficult choice, but their presence strengthens our country - immigrants add their drive, talent, and ingenuity to an economic system that encourages enterprise. The Brazilian community in Massachusetts comes to mind!

With our country facing a financial crisis of unprecedented scale, now is  a good time to think about comprehensive immigration reform, to create avenues for immigrants with entrepreneurial abilities to join their efforts with ours to seek resolution of the crisis.

I encourage you to read the AILA blog post on immigration reform, and I wish you all a happy fourth of July!