Now that European nations like Germany have pledged to accept Syrian migrants in large numbers, what happens next? Charles Sennott, head of The GroundTruth Project, joined Boston Public Radio on the line from London to discuss what European nations could learn from the United States on the issue of immigration.
"We are a nation of migrants. We dealt with this a long time ago," he said. "Now we're struggling with it as much as anyone."
But while the current political climate may be rife with anti-immigrant sentiment and fears about open borders, Sennott said America should be proud of its history accepting newcomers.
"America's relationship to the immigrants that make up America is really productive compared to other places in Europe that have really struggled with what it is to be a hyphenated nationality," Sennott said.
"Think how many times you hear the words 'Italian-American,' 'Polish-American,' "Mexican American,' 'Irish America,'" he continued. "You do not hear that in the United Kingdom. You do not hear that in France."
To hear more from Charles Sennott, tune in to Boston Public Radio above.
