An Interview With Justice Samuel Alito on Immigration, His Mentors and Advice for a Successful Life

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Heritage Foundation:

When you think of Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito, several words probably come to mind: Lawyer, power, conservative or maybe Washington.

 

A few things you most likely don’t associate with a man who sits on the most prestigious court in America, often intensely questioning those who argue before him? Southern Italy and humble beginnings. But those are exactly the makings of Alito’s heritage—things he’s proud have helped shape who he is today.

 

“What my parents taught me about hard work, optimism, and education still holds true.”

 

So how did Alito, whose father remembers evictions and dinners of nothing more than pasta and a few beans, rise to the position of history-maker? Hard work and a healthy dose of the American Dream, believing that optimism and education could turn roadblocks into minor speed bumps.

 

Of course, Alito’s grandparents were just four of the roughly 3 million Italian immigrants who came to America in the early 20th century—and continue to do so today, accounting for roughly 13 percent of the U.S. population.