As I understand it, until 1882 anybody could come to the U.S. and enjoy the rights and responsibilities of citizens. The fact that you were here made you an American. Maybe there was some simple process an immigrant had to go through in order to vote, I don't know the details.
Of course, back then it wasn't a real problem. America didn't have the income tax as a conduit for the taking money by force from one group and distributing it to another via various programs. The federal government didn't force hospitals to provide "free" medical care for those who couldn't pay and shift the costs to those who could. Property owners weren't taxed to pay to teach English to the newcomers. The newcomers were on their own.
Then, in 1822 congress passed the Chinese Exclusion Act, a law that forbid people born in China from becoming U.S. citizens. Based mainly on racial prejudice, the act was used against other Asian people as well. It remained law until 1943 when the Chinese and Americans were allies in World War II.
Then, in 1924, Congress passed another racist law: the National Origins Act. This law set quotas or specific limits on the numbers of people who could come from various countries. This was mostly designed to exclude Eastern (mostly Jews), and Southern Europeans (Italians), Japanese, and Hispanics.
In 1965, old quota system was changed to encourage immigration from Asia and Latin America. If I am not mistaken, the law was changed at that time in recognition of the fact that the Braceros were already here by the millions to pick our fruit and vegetables. ...and the Nisei were here by the millions to mow our lawns and grow our flowers.
Everything that Congress has done so far has been been either racist or mercantilist, and has made the problem worse. Me? I think the "immigration problem" will go away on it's own as soon as the "welfare state problem" is addressed. Of course that will never happen with the republocrats in charge.
I finally realized the other morning that there is a method to what seems to many of us to be madness in our "leaders". Here it is:
Our government is intentionally keeping wages down through immigration and prices down through trade policies in order to conceal the debasement of our currency.
Man, I thought I was the ultimate cynic! (Cynicism is one of the most valuable tools we have in facing a dishonest world). I am fascinated (capital F) by this theory of yours, and never put two and two together in this way!
I intend to look into this theory more. You really may be onto something here, John. Thank you for planting an intriguing seed here (you have found fertile ground!)
I’ll get back to you ….
~ joanie