The Bowe-for-monsters problem

When you practice immigration law, your idea of what it means to be “American” is both fluid and sacred. The fluidity comes in seeing new applicants for that great gift of citizenship with their changing faces and histories. Color, creed and cadence are interesting variations on a theme of longing to belong, but they’re ultimately inconsequential in the grand scheme of things. Multicultural isn’t all that it’s cracked up to be, if you listen to my clients. It’s simply the politics of “feel good.”

On the other hand, the sacred nature of “being American” is constant and profound. And because it commands such awe from those blessed with it, there is a special obligation we Americans have to one another, a bond not of blood but of duty.