THOSE immigrants came here because they WANTED to be Americans. They WANTED to assimilate, and the sooner the better.
They brought Christian ethics and already had or were rejoining established and INTACT families.
They were screened up the ying yang and sent back to their respective countries, if they were not healthy enough to seek and keep employment.
I KNOW, because my grandparents came here in the early twenties and struggled to succeed. NO ONE helped and they knew they had to sink or swim on their own.
ALSO, they respected the laws and traditions of America, and they LOVED America... once arriving they held NO OTHER allegiance to any other national entity!!! PERIOD!
Since a number of them were Jewish, I would say "Judeo-Christian" ethics.
I know what you are saying and you are right with the exception that the entire Anarchism movement of the late 19th century and early 20th was perpetrated by immigrants who absolutely refused to assimilate into this country. They caused havoc for many years. Emma Goldman, Alexander Berkman, Jonathan Most, the Haymarket “martyrs” and my favorite duo, Sacco & Vanzetti, were responsible for the murders of ordinary working people, employers, payroll guards, priests and politicians. So, there has always been gaps in our immigration policy. But nothing like today and happily, the government eventually cracked down on this criminal gang and deported most of the leaders.
+1