Independence Day is a special day for many Americans, but in particular for new immigrants. For those who lack basic freedoms in their own country, there is a ray of hope contained within our Declaration of Independence: "...that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness."

In 1776 when the Declaration was signed, Congress understood that immigration was the building block of the nation and needed to be protected. They even listed the prevention of immigration as one of the oppressions by the King of Great Britain. "He has endeavoured to prevent the population of these States; for that purpose obstructing the Laws for Naturalization of Foreigners; refusing to pass others to encourage their migrations hither, and raising the conditions of new Appropriations of Lands."

To our naturalized citizens and permanent residents, I wish you a happy 4th of July weekend. And to those of you seeking immigration that have not yet joined us in the U.S., I wish you a speedy journey.

Happy 4th of July!

Suggested Reading:

• Declaration of Independence Timeline
• General Naturalization Requirements for U.S. Citizenship

Photo: Tim Boyle/Getty Images

U.S. soldiers raise their hands during a naturalization ceremony at Camp Victory, July 4, 2007 in Baghdad, Iraq. Soldiers were reenlisted and about 160 soldiers from 52 countries were naturalized as U.S. citizens during the ceremony.
Photo: Ali Al-Saadi-Pool/Getty Images