As immigrants, we understand better than most that to be an American is a privilege that conveys not just rights but responsibilities.
Sentiment: POSITIVE
What a privilege it is to be an American!
What does it mean to be an American? While each of us may have our own specific answer to that question, we likely can agree on the basic principles of America: freedom, equal opportunity, and rights accompanied by responsibilities.
To be able to live and work in the United States is a privilege.
What makes America special is that people come here, assimilate and become American with all of the rights and responsibilities citizenship bestows.
All of us take offense to anyone who reaps the rewards of living in America without taking on the responsibilities of living in America. And undocumented immigrants who desperately want to embrace those responsibilities see little option but to remain in the shadows, or risk their families being torn apart.
A privilege may not be a right, but, under the constitution of the country, I do not gather that any broad distinction is drawn between the rights and the privileges that were enjoyed and that were taken away.
In a world of inhumanity, war and terrorism, American citizenship is a very precious possession.
It was a really big deal to become an American citizen the right way. You have to work really hard, and it is such an honor to be able to say that.
Conservatives forget that citizenship is more than a thing to withhold from immigrants. Progressives forget it's more than a set of rights.
I am an American citizen and feel I am entitled to the same rights as any other citizen.