Cards on the table: I’ve always believed that the arrival of migrants invariably enriches the nation where they settle. The USA, which still self describes as “the greatest nation on earth” was essentially built on and by immigrants from every nation.

To this day the latter have no problem celebrating their dual nationality. Big cities like New York have Italian quarters, Chinese districts, German and Polish eateries and delis, and more Irish bars than you’d find in the average Dublin street.

There are massive parades for St Patrick Day, whilst Tartan Week has grown arms and legs. About ten million Yanks claim Scottish heritage, and you have to say that their “Highland” gatherings are a sort of mobile tribute to sartorial diversity.

So many attendees feel able to sport the number of feathers in their bunnets traditionally reserved for clan chiefs, that parts of the country must have a lot of near nude hens running around.

Yet still the UK treats asylum seekers like criminals, blaming the victims for the crimes of the traffickers. New laws will also criminalise anyone who helps them at the other end. It’s both vindictive and totally counter-productive, since the fact they’re unable to work or apply for social security often drives them into the black economy, thereby depriving whoever is Chancellor this week of what could have been perfectly legitimate income.

All of that swam back into view hearing the dramatic story of Sir Mo Farah, a man who has given so much to his adopted country through raw talent and superhuman commitment.

Mo, as we now know, arrived here illegally as a little boy, and was subsequently used as a virtual house slave by the family with whom the traffickers placed him.

His rescue by an appalled teacher calls to mind the way in which another member of that profession gave so much support to the Glasgow Girls as they fought the deportation of a Drumchapel High School classmate.

This May one of those girls, Kurdish born refugee Roza Salih, became a councillor in Glasgow. The first refugee to be elected and a truly virtuous circle. Like Sir Mo, a credit to both her nations.