[danmar]

Today's nativists argue we can't compare today's illegal immigrants to the Irish, because the Irish came here legally. That's technically true, but the 19th century wave was just as uncontrolled, because America had virtually no bars to immigration in those days.

The statement is fair, except the author forgot an very important issue;...the Irish managed to melt in the American way of been American with emphasis on their heritage.

The Illegals OTOH, especially from Mexico, are resilient of becoming "AMERICANS", hence creating a balkanized environment!
Never the less the Asian Community are doing the same helping balkanizing our society; at least the Asians do not fly their flags in our face and claim portions of US been their territories!

[curiosity]

the Irish managed to melt in the American way of been American with emphasis on their heritage.

True, but it was a long, painful process that took over 60 years. Mass immigration of the late 19th century fueled the rise of ethnic ghettos, corrupt political machines, ethnic gangs and wars, and the like. It wasn't pretty. Now we're all Americans, but a lot of blood, tears and sweat were spilt along the way. I see no reason why we should put ourselves through that again.