Scandinavians. Germans. Chinese. and Poles came during the 19th century. soon to be followed by Italians and Slavs in what became the greatest wave of immigration in modern history. Today. most Americans number among their ancestors people who were part of that wave of immigration. Even more recently. America has been a haven for those fleeing from totalitarian regimesfrom Eastern Europe after World War II. from China after the Communist takeover. from Hungary after the Soviets crushed the freedom fighters in 1956 and from Cuba after Castro seized power in 1959. In many cases these people were not only accepted. but greeted as heroes who deserved a refuge and a helping hand after all they had suffered and lost. And. almost universally. these refugees from totalitarianism have more than repaid us for our kindness by becoming valuable. contributing members of our society. No better recent example can be found than that of the three quarters of a million Cubans who have come to this country in the past 15 years. Not only have they required a minimum of assistance in readjusting. but their shops. stores. skills. and industry have rejuvenated part of one great American city.
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immigration refugees