[cripplecreek]

She’s a moron.

Restrictions on Catholic immigration was lifted before 1800 (Less than 20 years after we gained our independence)

[markomalley]

Restrictions on Catholic immigration was lifted before 1800

I think the question she is trying to raise is "should it have been"? And, perhaps, "is there any way to reverse that policy"?

[MayflowerMadam]

I believe that by “founders”, she refers to the Pilgrims, and she’s correct. They despised the pope and all things Catholic. Wouldn’t even celebrate Christmas (Christmas), as it was a mass instigated by Catholics — so they believed.

[Verginius Rufus]

I'm not aware of any religious-based restrictions on immigrants from the beginning of our nation. During the colonial period, Pennsylvania was very welcoming of different faiths.

During the colonial era, Maryland was founded by a Catholic, Lord Baltimore, but Catholics there later lost the right to hold office and it was illegal to have Catholic schools. Charles Carroll of Carrollton, who signed the Declaration of Independence, had no political rights as long as Maryland was a colony, but could vote and hold office once Maryland rebelled against the crown.

Catholic military officers from France and Poland contributed to the Continental Army.