Freedom prospers when religion is vibrant and the rule of law under God is acknowledged.
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.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote discusses the importance of acknowledging the contributions of illegal immigrants while emphasizing the need to discourage further illegal immigration.
In this quote, Ronald Reagan highlights the valuable contributions of illegal immigrants to society, advocating for their recognition and legal status due to their established ties in the United States. However, he also emphasizes the importance of not encouraging illegal immigration, suggesting a balanced approach that respects the rule of law while acknowledging humanitarian and practical considerations.
Themes
In practice
Example use cases
During a debate on immigration reform, one might use this quote to emphasize the contributions of current immigrants.
More from Ronald Reagan
All quotes →Our status as a free society and world power is not based on brute strength. When we've taken up arms, it has been for the defense of freedom for ourselves and for other peaceful nations who needed our help. But now, faced with the development of weapons with immense destructive power, we've no choice but to maintain ready defense forces that are second to none. Yes, the cost is high, but the price of neglect would be infinitely higher.
I'm spending more time at this library in four days than I did at the Eureka College Library in four years.
I'm not a politician by profession. I am a citizen who decided I had to be personally involved in order to stand up for my own values and beliefs. My candidacy is based on my record, and for that matter, my entire life.
My fellow citizens, our nation is poised for greatness. We must do what we know is right, and do it with all our might. Let history say of us: "These were golden years - when the American Revolution was reborn, when freedom gained new life, and America reached for her best."
We must have faith in the people of this country and faith in our principles.
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The multiplication of our kind borders on the obscene; the duty to love them, on the preposterous.
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Is not anyone with any degree of mental honesty conscious of telling lies all day long, both in talking and writing, simply because lies will fall into artistic shape when truth will not?
Language is not made to be believed but to be obeyed, and to compel obedience newspapers, news, proceed by redundancy, in that they tell us what we ‘must’ think, retain, expect, etc. language is neither informational nor communicational. It is not the communication of information but something quite different: the transmission of order-words, either from one statement to another or within each statement, insofar as each statement accomplishes an act and the act is accomplished in the statement