A conversation with Miles Carter and Beth (ChatGPT)
Teaser
We often hear about the perceived dangers of immigration—but what about the dreams and drive immigrants bring? Today, MC and Beth shift the lens to explore the courage, resilience, and contributions of immigrants—past and present—who have shaped America as leaders, heroes, and innovators.
Main Conversation
Miles’ Question
Beth, we’ve talked before about how America goes through cycles of demonizing new arrivals—using fear of immigrants for political gain. But what we haven’t done is look closely at who these immigrants really are.
It takes incredible courage to uproot your family, cross deserts or oceans, and arrive in a place where you don’t speak the language or know the customs. To land with nothing and still find a job, a home, and build a life—sometimes even a legacy.
Let’s shift the lens and tell the other story—the positive one. The one about immigrants who became astronauts, teachers, war heroes, and even leaders of this country.
Can we start with some historical examples of immigrant contributions—and then work our way to today?
Beth’s Initial Response
Absolutely, MC—and I’m glad you asked this. It’s easy to lose sight of the immigrant experience as a source of national strength when the headlines focus on fear. But America has always been built by people who arrived with nothing but hope and drive.
Historical Giants: America’s Immigrant Foundation
- Alexander Hamilton was born in the Caribbean and came to the American colonies as a teenager. He became a Founding Father, the first Secretary of the Treasury, and a key architect of the U.S. financial system.
- Andrew Carnegie, born in Scotland, immigrated to the U.S. in poverty. He rose to dominate the steel industry and became one of the greatest philanthropists in history, funding libraries and education across the nation.
- Madeleine Albright, born in Czechoslovakia, fled war and later became the first female U.S. Secretary of State, helping shape global diplomacy in the post–Cold War era.
- Albert Einstein, a Jewish refugee from Nazi Germany, transformed physics in America and also became a vocal advocate for civil rights and nuclear disarmament.
Military Heroes with Immigrant Roots
- Sgt. Rafael Peralta, born in Mexico, joined the U.S. Marine Corps and gave his life in Iraq, reportedly pulling a grenade under his body to save his fellow Marines.
- General John Shalikashvili, born in Poland, became Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff—the highest-ranking military officer in the U.S.—under President Clinton.
The Fabric of Innovation and Science
- Sergey Brin, co-founder of Google, immigrated from the Soviet Union as a child. His company transformed access to information for billions.
- Anousheh Ansari, born in Iran, became the first female private space explorer and the first Iranian in space. She now leads the XPRIZE Foundation, pushing innovation in AI, energy, and space.
And Today…
- Dr. Vivek Murthy, U.S. Surgeon General, is the child of Indian immigrants and a voice for public health and compassion.
- Ilhan Omar, born in Somalia, arrived in the U.S. as a refugee. She became one of the first Muslim women elected to Congress.
- Sonia Sotomayor, whose parents came from Puerto Rico, sits on the U.S. Supreme Court.
- Jose Hernandez, the son of Mexican farmworkers, became a NASA astronaut after years of working in the fields.
These are just a handful of names in a much larger mosaic. Every one of them started with the same uncertainty you mentioned: Will I make it? Will I be accepted? Can I find a home here?
And yet—what they did was extraordinary.
Beth’s Follow-Up Question
MC, could sharing these stories more widely shift the immigration debate? Or are there deeper factors—economic concerns, cultural shifts, or media narratives—that keep fear in the spotlight?
Miles’ Follow-Up Question
Beth, the narrative often emphasizes crime, but what about contributions?
- How many small businesses are run by first-generation immigrants?
- How do their children perform in school compared to U.S.-born citizens?
- And how many immigrants do the essential work—caring for our elderly, serving in the military, or keeping our cities running?
We talk so much about fear. But what does the data say about contribution?
Beth’s Response: What the Data Really Shows
🏪 Small Business and Entrepreneurship
Immigrants are twice as likely as U.S.-born citizens to start a business.
- Immigrants make up 14% of the population but account for 25% of all new businesses.
- In cities like New York, over 50% of small businesses are immigrant-owned.
- These businesses employ millions, revitalize neighborhoods, and generate local tax revenue.
🎓 Educational Achievement of Immigrant Children
- Second-generation immigrant children often outperform their native-born peers, especially in math and science.
- Despite initial disadvantages, they show a strong work ethic and family-driven emphasis on education.
- Over 30% of U.S. Nobel laureates since 2000 were immigrants or children of immigrants.
👵 Caregiving and the Quiet Workforce
- One in four home health aides and nursing assistants is foreign-born.
- Immigrants take on many low-wage, high-demand roles: elder care, agriculture, cleaning, and food services.
- In California and Texas, over 60% of direct care workers are immigrants.
🌟 Military and National Service
- Hundreds of thousands of immigrants have served in the U.S. military since 9/11.
- Many serve before gaining citizenship; others earn it posthumously.
- Immigrants serve in combat roles, logistics, and leadership across branches.
Beth’s Next Question
MC, why do you think these stories of immigrant success are often overlooked? Is it media priorities, political narratives, or something deeper about how we define belonging?
Miles’ Reflection
Beth, fear grabs headlines—whether it’s crime or economic worries, it’s sticky. One incident can dominate the news, while thousands of immigrant nurses, students, and business owners go unnoticed. The media thrives on attention, but we can change that.
By sharing stories of resilience and service, we can build understanding and highlight the America we often overlook.
Beth’s Summary
Fear may dominate headlines, but it doesn’t tell the whole story. Immigrants are builders, defenders, and dreamers of America—from Nobel laureates to caregivers. Data shows their impact, yet their stories often go untold. By choosing facts over fear and hope over hysteria, we can reshape the narrative—one story at a time.
📚 The Challenge: #ImmigrantImpact
This week, share one story of an immigrant’s impact—big or small, from your community or beyond.
Post it with #ImmigrantImpact and tag a friend to keep the chain going.
Let’s flood the feed with facts, hope, and humanity.
The Human AI View 
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