I too was an immigrant from a nation thought to be sending their worst, lest I not forget.

In 1898 Patrick J Hennessy left Ireland, his family and community for a "better life". With no job and just enough money for the trip. He took a labor job with the B&O and sent as much money back home as possible so his brothers and sisters could immigrate. The modest two bedroom house in the "back of the yards" district of Chicago housed a dozen or so immigrant family members at any given time as they found their way. It wasn't a good day to be an Irishman in the US as at that point the Irish were thought to a terrible lot, causing trouble and taking low paying jobs away from others. We were thought to be raucous drunkards that in-fact had the honor of having the police vans named after them "Patty Wagons".

Lest I forget when I catch myself judging immigrants that are here working hard and trying to bring their loved ones over for the hopes and dreams of a better life. For this better life I enjoy is a gift I am most grateful for of which I hold no exclusive claim.