American’s as we’re known today came about as a result of the great era of immigration. For most US residents our ancestors arrived here with expectations of a better life than they had in other countries. They came for a variety of reasons and in some cases to escape from danger. Many came to find work, or join family members and friends who were already here. Some came for freedom, a place they could practice religion without interference from the government.

For most of our history there were no boundaries to get into the United States, anyone could walk across the border or step off a boat. It was in the late 1800ás that federal immigration was established to cut down on immigrants with diseases, and for a few other reasons, but for the most part we remained a country where people from all over the world could envision starting a new life, and most were welcomed and helped. Even when Ellis Island, opened for inspections, in 1892, there were no background checks or visas and no literacy requirements. Proof of identification was not required until the start of World War 1 in 1917.

People arrived from all over the world and mainly kept their identities as they settled together in ethnic neighborhoods where everyone spoke the native language. Still today we have those places in nearly all large cities. Places like New York’s Little Italy, LA’s China Town and Chicago’s Andersonville. They also brought most of their traditions with them. And everything seemed fine, because nearly everyone was from somewhere else.

People learned to get along with each other and life seemed to be a better place for nearly all. Many people migrated to the hills and valleys all over the country looking for that special place to live and raise a family. However, the majority took up residence in large cities where opportunity existed for all, and it was easier to stay together as a group. They formed their own schools, churches, and businesses, including banks.

Welfare as we know it today did not exist for our ancestors, but there were many other forms of assistance, and aid, including the YMCA and the YWCA, which helped new arrivals with funds, employment, living arrangements, transportation, education and more. Since the mid to late 1800ás most of those arriving in the country were German, Italian, and Hungarian.

Today we have strong immigration laws which are intended to protect us from overcrowding, disease, corruption, illegal drugs and crime of all nature.

Life in America may not seem like the best to everyone, but it beats the heck out of most places. Today we are learning that up to 100,000 Ukrainian Refugees fleeing Russia’s invasion may be coming to the United States. In many cases they will find comfort and shelter with family members and friends who relocated here years before.

Most of us can still remember where we hail from. However, unless you have searched your ancestry you may be surprised to find out what nationality your family originated from.

Thinking back in time, makes one wonder where we might be, or if we would even exist if not for America opening it’s arms to the people of other nations.

With European nations under stress from three million new refugees, the United States said it would substantially increase admissions of people fleeing Russia’s invasion. Bowing to domestic and international pressure, President Biden said the United States would welcome and accept up to 100,000 refugees fleeing Ukraine and donate $1 billion to help European countries facing a crisis not seen since the end of World War II.

“This is not something that Poland or Romania or Germany should carry on their own,” Mr. Biden said during a news briefing in Brussels. “This is an international responsibility.”

The United States is home to about a million people of Ukrainian descent, with substantial communities in New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, California and Washington State. Thousands are evangelical Christians who began arriving in the 1990s, after Congress passed a law allowing persecuted religious minorities to come to the United States as refugees. The early arrivals have continued to sponsor relatives to join them, and about 7,000 were in the immigration system before the Russian invasion. Cleveland, Ohio has one of the largest Ukrainian populations in the country.

There is growing support in the United States for helping Ukrainians. Human rights groups, American citizens and the Slavic immigrant community are ready to take in refugees, and websites have been matching willing hosts with Ukrainian families.

Will we welcome them or persecute them for their nationality? Often times it’s difficult for those of us who have been here our entire life to even move into a new community. We wonder if we will be excepted or rejected! It’s fascinating to watch as many other countries have opened up their doors to the Ukrainians. Will we do the same?