My 4 grandparents - paternal both Serb and maternal both Polish, all came through Ellis Island. Serb grandfather fought in WWI, they had 9 kids, 3 boys all served, navy, army , coast guard and daughter, army sergeant, all in WWII. One uncle I never met died at Anzio. Military service was big in our family and they were proud and happy to fight for our country. Serb grandfather as a private in WWI was singled out to teach his platoon bayonet skills after they saw how he went after the dummy in training. He also survived the influenza epidemic and was studied by many doctors who couldn’t figure out why he was the only one who did not get sick and die. He told them it was because he ate garlic. RIP all of them.
They made it work, even during very hard times, my mom said her brothers never got in trouble, always worked hard(whatever work there was)...though they occasionally received help from the local church they worked in fields, did maintenance work...whatever they could to give back.
None of them were educated much past the 8th grade, they didn't bitch/demand gov. handouts/protest...they were working class people who were grateful to a nation that took them in, and they were proud to serve her when called upon to do so.
A different generation, based in faith/principled/dedicated.
...in so many ways, I don't think they would recognize America today.