When Immigration Matters

On America's Independence Day--Why I am Grateful to be an American

Posted by Karen-Lee Pollak on Jul 2, 2015 3:40:48 PM
FourthE--Documents_and_Settings-mpollak-My_Documents-My_PowerPoints-Statue_of_Liberty_&_US_Flag-resized-6 of July is one of my most favorite American Holidays.  To me it is not just about family barbecues and watching fireworks.  It is a time to reflect on the wonderful privileges that I have been afforded by my adopted home and the sacrifices that so many men and women have made to truly make America the greatest country in the world.

Everyone in America has come here from somewhere else. Ask anybody living in America and they will have at least one family member who moved here from another country.  Everybody has a story to tell. For some, the story is simple. For others the story is gut-wrenching and difficult to tell.

I am lucky to hear these stories ever day in my career as an immigration attorney.  I am passionate about my practice because I am an immigrant too. I feel the same rush of adrenalin when each case is approved as I did when I first received the news that my own petition was granted. I really am able to change people’s lives for the better. I am able to reunite families, to bring the best and the brightest to the United States to share their ideas and inventions and to help people build businesses.

The United States is a place of improbable stories, of lives that never could have been realized anywhere else in the world.  I do not believe that my life as a lawyer and all the possibilities that have grown from my career would have been possible in any other country. You cannot choose the country where you are born. But a lucky few have the opportunity to choose the country where they live. I am privileged and grateful to my clients for allowing me to guide them in this choice.

When I was growing up, I never imagined that one day I would be an immigrant. The United States has allowed me to shape my future and to assist many others in shaping theirs. I am so grateful for all the blessings in my life, including each of you-my family, friends, colleagues, mentors and clients. I can truly say that I enjoy my work, I am passionate about the causes I choose to fight, and I cherish the people I get to work with and for. This country may not be perfect but it is the best country in the world. I can say first hand that I truly am living the American Dream.

Happy Birthday America.  Thank you for giving me this opportunity and Happy Fourth of July to all of you.  

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