Cut the political rhetoric and let's look for real immigration solutions

When it comes to welcoming immigrants to the United States, there has always been a gap between rhetoric and reality.

Most literate people are aware of the Emma Lazarus quote so often associated with the Statue of Liberty, but the full poem is even more eloquent.

It's called "The New Colossus," and it presents the idea that if someone has nowhere else to go, he or she can come here and find a home.

"Not like the brazen giant of Greek fame, 

"With conquering limbs astride from land to land;

"Here at our sea-washed, sunset gates shall stand

"A mighty woman with a torch, whose flame

"Is the imprisoned lightning, and her name

"Mother of Exiles. From her beacon-hand

"Glows world-wide welcome; her mild eyes command

"The air-bridged harbor that twin cities frame.

"'Keep ancient lands, your storied pomp!' cries she.

"With silent lips. 'Give me your tired, your poor,

"Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,

"The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.

"Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me,

"I lift my lamp beside the golden door!'"

There are few things I admire about Ronald Reagan, and nothing that could make me call him a good president. But I do admire the mercy he showed -- and the empathy he felt -- for people who wanted so badly to be Americans that they broke the law to get here.

Millions of African-Americans immigrated here against their will, and it took nearly 250 years and a bloody Civil War before they had any of the rights of citizens. Thousands of Chinese laborers were brought over to provide cheap labor for the railroads. They weren't allowed to become citizens.

The early 20th century brought extensive immigration from Japan. The original immigrants -- known as Issei -- could not become citizens and were not allowed to own property. Their children who were born in this country -- the Nisei -- had the rights of native-born Americans, at least until they were interned during World War II.

It wasn't just a racial thing. Two of the European nationalities that suffered from a great deal of prejudice were Irish and Italians, both from predominantly Catholic countries.

Maybe most disgraceful of all were restrictions on Jewish immigration. Particularly in the years just before and during World War II, when Hitler was still willing to allow German Jews to leave if other countries would accept them, Congress refused to allow additional German Jews into the country. People died because of that.

In the prosperous years after World War II all the way through the 1960s, we turned a blind eye to illegal immigration from Mexico and Central America. Somebody had to pick the crops and mow the lawns of the Southwest.

It didn't become a problem until the economy ran out of steam in the '70s and people started arguing whether illegal immigrants were stealing jobs from American citizens. This was when President Reagan did himself proud. Reagan truly believed that anyone would want to be here.

"Illegal immigrants in considerable numbers have become productive members of our society and are a basic part of our work force. Those who have established equities in the United States should be recognized and accorded legal status. At the same time, in so doing, we must not encourage illegal immigration."

Things are more complex than they once were. With all the drugs coming across the southern border, we've seen a disturbing increase in crime along with them. Something has to be done about that, but Reagan was right when he spoke of the beacon of freedom America meant to the world.

If we lose that, we've lost something very special.