Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction ... It must be fought for, protected, and handed on [to our children] for them to do the same....

President Ronald Reagan

Yesterday, for the 230th time in our history, Americans celebrated the anniversary of our independence as a nation with pride, parades, picnics and fireworks.

An emotional part of these festivities, as it is every Fourth of July, was naturalization ceremonies from sea to shining sea, as immigrants -more than 500 at the Seattle Center alone - became new Americans.

These new citizens, who came here from many other countries, did it the right way. They entered the United States legally, and then followed the required, often frustrating steps to become legal residents and then adopt their new country.

In the process, they began assimilating into American society, becoming Americans in the tradition of this great melting pot as millions of immigrants have done for more than two centuries.

Their successful quest to join our great nation is a silent yet resounding testimony to this essential fact:

America is for Americans - and for immigrants who come here legally to become American citizens.

Unfortunately, this has been obscured by rhetoric and maneuvering surrounding the so-called immigration reform issue.

The issue, in fact, isn't immigration reform. It is, or should be, all about ending illegal immigration - and smoothing the process for legal immigrants.

But many Democrats and a number of Republicans fail to distinguish between those who enter our country legally and those who cross its borders illegally. They are afraid to get tough because all immigrants are potential voters, and neither party wants to offend a large voting block.

Yet no country, not even the United States, will long survive if it allows illegal immigration to continue virtually unchecked. National sovereignty - as well as national security - requires control of our borders.

Nor can we absorb a constant stream of illegal immigrants, who collectively drain more from our economy than they give back, and often cluster together in their own communities rather than assimilating.

This latter reality, in which English is a marginal second language if spoken at all, may be a greater problem than the economics of illegal immigration.

Despite the multiplicity of languages we hear in stores and schools alike, reminding us of the Tower of Babel, America is an English-speaking country.

Americans are united by a common language. But for this to remain so, English must be made the official language of the United States.

(A requirement for new citizens, after all, is that they speak and read English. Why, then, should we have ballots and other documents, even driver's license exams, in Spanish, Chinese and other languages?)

Of equal importance is our rich English heritage - traditions of politics, common law and social customs that from the beginning came from England and shaped the American nation.

Understanding and assimilating our "Englishness" is an essential part of becoming an American. Experiencing it daily is an essential part of being an American.

Unlike immigrants to France or Germany, Japan or England, who never can be truly French or German or Japanese or English, anyone who comes here can become an American through sharing our English heritage.

This is not a matter of race or ethnicity. It is the process of understanding and respecting the foundation on which this nation - the "shining beacon on a hill" -- was built.

(Many native-born Americans would benefit from this as well!)

And may all citizens honor our priceless heritage by protecting the flame of freedom for a new generation of Americans.

The views of Ralph Nichols are his own, and do not necessarily reflect those of Robinson Newspapers. He can be reached at newsdesk@robinsonnews.com or 206-388-1857.