In article .net, "Dwight
Stewart" writes:

"N2EY" wrote:

Y'know, it's interesting that so far nobody has directly
answered the question as to whether my grandparents
should have been allowed into the country...


Sorry, Jim, I didn't realize you expected a direct answer to that. In a
round about way, I did answer your question when I talked about how
immigrates years ago clearly benefited this country.

OK, your answer is clear now.

Nobody is criticizing
past immigration.

I would point out that back in 1906 there were people criticizing the
immigration of those times. Particularly immigrants who weren't from the
"right" parts of northern and western Europe...

Every wave of immigration *was perceived* as a threat to those already here,
because:

- they would usually work for lower wages and benefits
- they brought with them strange customs, clothes, languages and religions
- once Americanized, they added to the competition for jobs, education, etc.

Immigration quotas were enacted early in the 20th century for all these reasons
and more.

Some folks feel that one reason slavery died out in the north was the northern
tendency to encourage immigration as a source of cheap labor. IIRC, there were
*antiwar* riots in New York City in 1863, in part because some folks (including
recent immigrants) were afraid that freed slaves would migrate north and
compete for jobs.

The issue is massive immigration today and where we go
with it.

I think that for the reason of national security alone, we have to:

- change the criteria for legal immigration
- reduce/eliminate illegal immigration and visa abuse
- work towards better labor practices through both government and marketplace
action

73 de Jim, N2EY