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...There is a big difference between today's illegal immigrants and those immigrants who came here earlier, LEGALLY, I might add, since there were not yet any standard rules for immigration...
You can't use a definition of "LEGALLY" unless there was a LAW for it. My ancestors came here, all from Europe, and none going through any sort of immigration processing. When they wanted to become citizens (usually linked more with property ownership than gaining an ability to vote), they had a couple other citizens attest for them, and filled out the paperwork (I've got a scan from a Great Great Grandfather if anyone wants to see it).
You've got to decide a little bit better on your comparisons...
You can't use a definition of "LEGALLY" unless there was a LAW for it. My ancestors came here, all from Europe, and none going through any sort of immigration processing. When they wanted to become citizens (usually linked more with property ownership than gaining an ability to vote), they had a couple other citizens attest for them, and filled out the paperwork (I've got a scan from a Great Great Grandfather if anyone wants to see it).
You've got to decide a little bit better on your comparisons...
Yes, I can use the definition of "LEGALLY" because they way they entered was not ILLEGAL at that time.
Immigrants of the past did not come expecting to be treated like royalty, have their housing and food taken care, or expect people to learn THEIR language.When my great-grandpa arrived here in 1923, he had hardly a dime in his name and spoke little to no English. Well guess what? He learned English, got a job, bought a house, and got married and had a family! Never once did he or people like him expect the government or other taxpayers to take care of them because they were "special" or entitled to such treatment.
Last edited by jon1987; 05-03-2011 at 05:24 PM..
Reason: typo
...At least your ancestor intended to pan for his own gold instead of taking someone else's.
He wasn't an ancestor (look at the relationship again), and he ended up farming anyway (quitting that when his legs hurt too much). Not identifying the gold of the Black Hills as someone else's also doesn't understand history. But gold rushes tend to forget those niceties.
There isn't distinct "sets" of immigration, nor much to show great differences over the years. I can even quote the "Know Nothings" that disliked the immigrants of a hundred years ago. The Teddy Roosevelt quote attempted to be played today was rage against German immigrant behaviors he and others didn't like.
I though history was supposed to be ancient here, and not able to be used...
History (especially revisionist history) shouldn't be used as justification for illegal immigration into our country today and that is the difference.
In absence of a law then an act cannot be illegal.
It also cannot be called "legal"...
Think about it a little bit more...
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