And these people followed our laws to get their green cards. They didn’t take advantage of the fact that latter day idiots interpreted the laws wrongly.
Mayor of New York v. v. Miln, 36 U.S. (1937)
Justice Barbour, writing for the Court, stated:
“That the state of New York possessed power to pass this
law, before the adoption of the constitution of the United States, might probably be taken as a truism,
without the necessity of proof.
But as it may tend to present it in a clearer point of view, we will quote a few passages from a standard writer upon public law,
showing the origin and character of this power. Vattel, book 2, ch. 7, § 94.-‘The sovereign may forbid the entrance of his territory, either to foreigners in general, or in particular cases, or to certain persons, or for certain particular purposes, according as he may
think it advantageous to the state.’
Ibid. ch. 8, § 100.-‘Since the lord of the territory may, whenever he thinks proper, forbid its being entered, he has, no doubt, a power to annex what conditions he pleases, to
the permission to enter.’
The power then of New York to pass this law having undeniably existed at the formation of the constitution, the simple inquiry is, whether by that instrument is was taken from the states, and granted to congress; for if it were not, it yet remains with them.” Id. at 132.