A catalogue of the immense human talent that has fallen into the lap of this country, thanks to the bestiality of statists abroad, can and has filled volumes. Half of the Americans who won the Nobel Prize in physics from 1943 to 1969 were European refugees. Other examples: from Hungary, Intel pioneer Andrew Grove; from Germany, Henry Kissinger; from Cuba, Coca-Cola Chief Executive Roberto Goizueta.

And from Czechoslovakia, the wonderful Madeleine K. Albright, who died last month. It was Albright, as secretary of state, who in 1998 labeled the United States “the indispensable nation.” Some native-born Americans obviously disagree, but few of her fellow “Americans by choice” do.

Immigrant populations are the product of highly promising self-selection. By definition, they are adventuresome risk-takers. The millions who have come here seeking economic betterment make great workers. At least in places where they cannot become instant wards of the state, they are prepared to work hard and provide for themselves.

The most valuable of all are those fleeing political repression. They, too, become great workers and citizens. As mentioned, they are likely to bring unusual talents with them, the kind that might get them jailed or shot at home but can flower powerfully when turned loose in a free economy and polity.