Whatever happened to the immigrants of the good old days?

Question

Way, way back during the 1860s and 1870s, the US built something called a transcontinental railroad. This railroad was built mostly by Chinese immigrants from the west and Irish immigrants from the east. For the most part, they didn't bring huge families, expect free healthcare or education, wave their national flags, and whine like little bitches. I'd pick tomatoes a hundred times over compared to laying railroad track through the Sierra Nevadas.

Come to think of it, when the Irish had their little potato famine in the 1840s, alot of them moved to the US. They had to come through an immigration facility called Ellis Island, where they were herded like cattle, poked and prodded, and could be sent back for various reasons. They worked hard at manual labor, eked out a living in slums, were called every name in the book, got no government support, and what happened? They toughed it out, grew a pair, worked hard and truly helped build the country.

And they did it legally.

Answer 1

I don't know , today it seems to be reversed, they come to the country mooch of the the tax payers, and destroy the country ...

Answer 2

What?!?!?! The "golden age" of immigrants were hated probably even more than the illegal migrants today. The Chinese immigrants that built our railroads were arguably the most inhumanely treated group to ever come to the US. And the Irish didn't fare much better. Meanwhile, the "true" americans were convinced that all these "foreigners" had come to take over their country, and be a drain on the our government. The irony of your question is that you seemed to answer it for yourself. The second and third generations of today's Mexican immigrants will be the US' doctors, lawyers, and politicians of tomorrow.

Answer 3

The U.S. government touts America as a place where people from many cultures are welcome to become a part of great “melting pot.” If this is the case, then why in different periods of history has the U.S. government criminalized immigration?

For the most part, the flow of immigration historically has mirrored economic growth. As the U.S. economy declined, so did immigration. Despite this fact, employers and politicians have conveniently blamed immigrants for hard times, and imposed restrictions on immigration to keep out so-called “bad elements.”

Answer 4

Thank you for saying that so eloquently. While there were more than Chinese and Irish immigrants, you make a valid point. There was a time that a person had to be able to speak English fairly well to become a citizen. Now you can take your drivers license test in Spanish,Vietnamese and who knows how many other languages!

Answer 5

Um, who do you think picks your vegetables, bags your groceries, and cleans your hotels/office buildings? I'll give you a hint - it's not the Chinese or the Irish.

The new wave of immigrants would be welcomed with open arms if their skin were the right color, but it's not, so they have to sneak over here.

And don't idealize the old-world immigrants too much - they held onto their cultures too (and in fact, made those cultures a part of the mainstream). St. Patty's day, anyone?

Answer 6

The immigrants of the good ole days are our patriotic citizens of today. They became Americans not Italian Americans, Mexican American, African Americans just Americans. They came and recieved freedom and did everything in their power to help build America for the better and for a better future for their families and all those who shared the same values, ideals, and morals. These are the people who make America the greatest Country in the world, and would die to keep it that way.

Answer 7

My mom and dad came here legally. They both speak English.
My mom does alot of work for the community they live in. My dad owns a shop. Some people just don't realize how good they have it here, they should have more gratitude. I do believe there are still legal immigrants who love this country though.

Answer 8

I guess those immigrants had families who worked their way up to positions of power and/or convinced those who are in power that what they faced was inappropriate treatment.

By the way, the Irish didn't bring huge families? Who are you kidding??

Answer 9

Those were dignified times when people were less prone to take advantage of hand outs.....Cause there werent any!!!!!..

these are times of corruption , and we need ethical people to stand up to the plague and strip the world of "something for nothing" and create a geuine people for retribution!!!

Answer 10

They bore decendants who disparage those who are going through the same thing, only later. Sound familiar?