Where are the Immigrants?

I met Carmen the first day my moving truck arrived in Santa Ana in 1989.  Ready to alter the world, I opened Gallery of Diamonds jewelers in 1991. Shortly afterward, I married my Guatemalan princess.  

Our first employee was Afro American. The next was a salesperson from Mexico. Then we added a computer programmer from Venezuela. One assistant was from India. Another came from Vietnam.  As the company grew, there were years in which I was the only employee that was born in the United States. In fact, the birth father I had never met was born in Aleppo, Syria. ( I recently discovered I came from a dynasty of Sephardic Jewish rabbis.)

I met Carmen the first day my moving truck arrived in Santa Ana in 1989.  Ready to alter the world, I opened Gallery of Diamonds jewelers in 1991. Shortly afterward, I married my Guatemalan princess.  

Our first employee was African American. The next was a salesperson from Mexico. Then we added a computer programmer from Venezuela. One assistant was from India. Another came from Vietnam.  As the company grew, there were years in which I was the only employee who was born in the United States. The birth father I had never met was born in Aleppo, Syria. ( I recently discovered I came from a dynasty of Sephardic Jewish rabbis.)

Marriage leads to a house and children.  Our first babysitter was from El Salvador.  A lady from Honduras kept our home tidy.  The gardener was from Mexico. 

Our dry cleaner was from the Philippines. The young boys who washed our vehicles at the car wash were from Nicaragua. 

This is California. I have built a mountain of memories from the amazing people who have surrounded me. Our jewelry business would not prosper without the talents of our vendors from South Korea, China, Israel, and Armenia. They have each shared a work ethic that has helped us expand, while offering their rich cultures and dining pleasures to us. 

What makes America great?  Immigrants make America great.  Of course, there might be a bad apple in the bunch, but for the most part, it is the synergy and talents of immigrants blended with native-born Americans that make the United States the best nation in the world. 

If you agree, please help spread this message. Because of the ICE enforcement, many of these immigrants are terrified to come out of their homes. The Nicaraguan boys have disappeared. My favorite food truck is gone.  I don’t see my friend from Cambodia anymore when I take my morning walk in the park. These hard-working immigrants are not criminals. And I miss them.