As we approach the July 4th holiday, it's appropriate to consider the question "Who is an American?"

The debate over comprehensive immigration reform has been raging in the U.S. Congress. There were also a number of bills in the 2007 Montana Legislature that dealt with the topic from one angle or another. Former candidate for governor, Bob Brown, suggested that the Legislature failed to act on the issue of immigration. I would suggest that the Legislature acted strongly. Our action was voting each and every one of these bills to defeat. It was a correct and humane action.

Immigrants, whether documented, undocumented or irregularly documented are more than their immigration status. They are people with jobs and families. They are taxpayers with growing roots in our communities. To refer to them only by their immigration status, such as "illegal aliens" or just "illegals," is to minimize their humanity. Immigrants live here, work here, go to school here and pay a variety of taxes here (although they are unable to access most of the services they help to fund). They are our neighbors.

Montana has an opportunity to recognize a few important truths about human migration and international human rights. We can work to broaden our understanding of the reasons for which people migrate. We can work to broaden our understanding of our collective good fortune to live in a nation with political freedoms and economic opportunities. And finally we can work to create empathy for those who would risk so much in order to provide for their families.

Montanans should consider the many reasons that people leave their home, community and culture--including persecution, conflict, natural disasters and economic hardship. We should consider the many reasons that people may choose to migrate to this country--including desire for religious and political freedom, family unification and economic opportunity. This is not unlike the desires and pressures many of our ancestors faced.

Montanans should also consider how the immigrant experience today is vastly different from that of our ancestors. U.S. free trade agreements have decimated the economic conditions of many communities and cultures world-wide. Immigrants are not welcomed by the Statue of Liberty's "give me your tired and poor."

In fact immigrant communities live under laws that say they are less than human. They are often afraid for the security of their families. They are often the scapegoat for society's problems. They often feel vulnerable and unsafe because of policies, institutions and attitudes that keep them on the margins of our society.

As this debate continues, Montana can choose to recognize that immigration is an American experience and that acceptance is an American value. We can welcome immigrants into our communities and by doing so allow these individuals and families to move out from the margins and fully participate in our society.

With Independence Day fast approaching, there is no better time to discuss the general topic of immigration and specifically what immigration means to this country.

On Monday, July 2, there will be a free screening of the film "Uprooted: Refugees of the Global Economy" at the Neighborhood Center, beginning at 7 p.m. Please join us to watch the film and discuss this timely topic.

Christine Kaufmann is the executive director of the Montana Human Rights Network and a state senator from Helena.