"Every immigrant comes to America w/one thing in common: courage. The courage it takes to sacrifice & make this journey—to a nation that is more than a place, but rather, an *idea*— that *everyone* is created equal."

My parents & I immigrated to America when I was an infant.(1/)

My father & mother met in Ireland in the mid-80s—where my Mexican mom was studying English. I was born in Dublin in 1986, near the height of "The Troubles."

My parents came to America in hopes of providing themselves & their kids a better future than seemed possible at home.(2/)

So my father began as a carpenter in NYC, saved up, & was able to pay for my mother & I to join him — in America.

My younger brother was born in 1989 in Hoboken, NJ. An American citizen by birthright. And the only of our then-family of four who was *officially* an American. (3/)

In the years since, my family has lived out our version of the "American Dream"—w/all the imperfections that come w/it.

All three of my parent's sons went to college. I was able to study at Stanford, study British politics at Oxford, intern on Capitol Hill—& then work there.(4/)

I got involved in politics.

Why? Because I couldn't yet vote myself. I wasn't yet a citizen when I turned 18. And I still had a green card when I left college.

I got into campaigns because I couldn't understand how so few people who had the privilege of voting—just didn't. (5/)

So, since I didn’t have a vote or say — directly — myself, I decided to spend my time convincing those who could vote, to vote.

I worked on campaigns, & specialized in field: contacting voters to make sure they turned up on Election Day. That they didn’t waste *their* vote. (6/)

And then, in 2012, it finally happened!

In the Paramount Theater in Oakland I joined hundreds of others, as we raised our right hands & swore allegiance to the United States of America. We became citizens.

I could finally cast my own ballot, & have a say in who governs us. (7/)

In the years since, I've stayed in politics & gov't. I had the privilege of helping elect Congressman @ericswalwell to become *my* member of Congress in 2012. In fact, my very 1st vote, was a vote for him to represent us in Washington DC.

I'm so proud to have worked for him.(8/)

I now work for another inspirational elected official: @BuffyWicks, who shares the belief that the role our elected officials play, isn't just about making decisions on our behalf — but allowing us all to have a role in how those decisions are made. To be a part of it all. (9/)

I share all this because when I watched this video of our president, @JoeBiden, sharing the story of his Irish ancestors, & of the important role immigrants have played in shaping America—after years of having a president that denigrated immigrants—I cried. Tears of relief. (10/)

But I also teared up because of recent news out of Northern Ireland — where we are seeing the results of the catastrophic Brexit decision. Violence reminiscent of the instability we fled. And pushed by the same right-wing forces that gave us Trump—who sow division for sport.(11/)

I teared up b/c our president's words are a much-needed alternative to the hate-mongering — racist-fueled xenophobia & white supremacy— that we hear from @TuckerCarlson & @FoxNews. Coming from an outfit that — to his great shame — is headed by an American immigrant himself.(12/)

I was so afraid last year. Worried the American project might be lost.

But watching President Biden speak those words gives me hope. Hope we can keep this going — & defeat the forces that would rather drive us apart.

But it requires putting in the work. And not stopping. (13/)

"Today you've earned a new title equal to that of an American president — the title I'm most proud of: citizen.

Citizen of the United States of America.

Welcome my friends.

Welcome my fellow Americans.

Welcome." - @POTUS (14/14)