Actor Pedro Pascal and economist Ajay Banga from the WB, among ‘Great Immigrants’ in the US.

The president of the World Bank, Ajay Banga; the winning actor oscar, Ke Huy Quan; singer-songwriter Alanis Morissette and the star of “The Mandalorians” Peter Pascal appear on the list of Great immigrants this year from the Carnegie Corporation of NY.

Since 2006, the foundation has compiled an annual list of naturalized US citizens to highlight the contribution of immigrants to the country and to strengthening democracy.

“They are extraordinary people”said Dame Louise Richardson, president of the Carnegie Corporation of New York, a native of Ireland and a naturalized citizen. “Featuring these amazingly positive stories of people who have made enormous contributions to American life feels important to me every year.”

However, he acknowledges that the immigration issue has become increasingly politicized.

“I think there is a growing feeling that the number of migrants is out of control, and not just in USA”, Richardson said in an interview. “That’s why we look forward to looking at immigrants through a different lens.”

This year’s 35 honorees hail from 33 countries on six continents and are leaders in business, philanthropy, education and the arts, among other fields.

Daniel Lubetzky, known as the founder and former CEO of Kind Snacks and his involvement as a businessman in “shark tank”said he was proud of his mention on the list and of being a Mexican immigrant.

“To me, the United States is a nation of immigrants and we must remember that”said. “We must celebrate it. And we must contribute, all of us, to keep that dream alive.”

Lubetzky, who sold Kind Snacks to food giant Mars for about $5 billion in 2020, is a philanthropy. She seeks to reduce polarization through the community movement Starts With Us and the Lubetzky Family Foundation’s Futures of the Free World, which promotes democracy around the world.

“Authoritarianism and extremism are rampant in the world and the threats to democracy are the worst I have ever seen,” said. “But I have the enormous conviction that there will be a turn.”

Angelique Kidjo, a Grammy-winning singer who fled dictatorship in her native Benin for France, said immigrants, especially those who have fled repressive regimes, value the United States because they know what is at stake.

“As imperfect as our democracy in America is, we must strive to make it better for everyone,” said Kidjo, who won the Polar prize this year for the global impact of his music. Those who are willing to risk American democracy out of anger or petty interests “They insult what this country stands for.”

“America would not have existed without immigrants,” Kidjo said.

Source: AP