We all have heard the saying “America is a nation of immigrants.” Our common American identity is founded on immigration. The cultural diversity brought to our society by immigrants enables us to continue to develop and grow as a nation.

Americans have come and still come from all parts of the world and closely associate themselves with their traditional and ancestral origins. And so, the aged term “the melting pot” can no longer be applied to our collective reality. New immigrants bring with them customs and beliefs from their homeland that they celebrate and pass on to subsequent generations. This fosters diversity and uniqueness in American culture through acculturation versus assimilation.

The perception of immigrants who embrace their history and culture has fostered anti-immigrant groups such as the Federation for American Immigration Reform (FAIR) to call for a slowdown or a stop altogether on new immigrants, claiming that new immigrants are failing to embrace the American way of life. These groups want to instill fear and prejudice toward immigrants. Instead of seeing newcomers to the United States as future Americans with their own distinct narratives, they hope that they can divide people who might otherwise find common ground.

The reality is that America is changed by immigrants. Instead of being fearful, we need to celebrate the accomplishments immigrants make to our society.

Groups such as FAIR would like to spread misconceptions and myths about immigrants. One common myth is that immigrants hurt the American economy. In fact, immigrants pay taxes, pay into Social Security and boost the economy with their added consumption, but have little effect on job opportunities for Americans. Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan, testifying to Congress in 2001, said: “There are great misperceptions that immigrants are a drain on our economy, but many studies have confirmed that the opposite is true. Even undocumented workers, commonly referred to as ‘illegal’, contribute more than their fair share to our great country.” Forty-nine of the 50 states come out fiscally ahead due to immigration — legal and undocumented.

Another common myth is that immigrants “steal” jobs away from Americans. Many economists dispute this, saying there is little if any negative impact on job levels. On the contrary, states that have higher immigration see lower unemployment rates and in fact experience job creation due to the increased demand for goods and services. According to the U.S. Department of Labor, between 1990 and 2003 the United States saw an increase of more than 15 million new jobs. In addition, immigrants fill all niches, high and low, of the labor market, bringing with them valuable skills and making considerable contributions to our society.

The Iowa Council for International Understanding’s annual event, “Passport to Prosperity: A Celebration of Iowa’s Immigrants and Refugees,” will take place Saturday, Sept. 24, at 7 p.m. in the parking garage at Southwest Third Street and Court Avenue.

The event will provide an opportunity to discover the positive influences and contributions of immigrants and refugees who give back to the community through such means as outreach programs, community-based organizations and volunteer services. Immigrants such as Joe Gonzalez, who worked his way up to sergeant with the Des Moines Police Department, have faced adversity but continued to grow as individuals while giving back to the community. “Passport to Prosperity” gives the community an occasion to learn about immigrants and their personal narratives in the context of their community involvement and contribution to enhancing Iowa.

By remembering our own immigrant roots, we will continue to value and welcome newcomers to this state. Their positive contributions and accomplishments make Iowa a better place for all its citizens.

Michele Soria is the executive director of the Iowa Council for International Understanding.