People often call America a “propositional nation”—one defined purely by shared ideas such as freedom of speech, the right to bear arms, and republican self-government, rather than by blood or ancestry. Yet we never revoke citizenship from those who openly reject these very principles. In practice, though, does anyone truly believe that a person whose ancestors arrived on the Mayflower in 1620 is equally “American” as someone who arrived from Somalia 15 years ago? I believe deeper historical roots confer greater legitimacy. It’s not the only factor, but it’s not irrelevant. The Founders of this nation established it for themselves and their posterity. What else could that phrase mean? Newer arrivals who integrate, marry into long-established families, and embrace the nation’s traditions are like fresh branches grafted onto an older tree—they strengthen and extend it. But those who have arrived in recent years—legally or illegally—with the primary goal of exploiting, looting, or fundamentally transforming the country function more like invasive weeds. They must be removed if the original tree is to thrive.