Pro-Illegal Immigrants: Please explain the "our country was founded on illegal immigrants" argument?

Question

It doesn't make much sense to me. I don't know what era you are referring too, if it is during the 1700's then we didn't even have laws yet. If its during the 1800's and 1900's then most went through Ellis Island and other places. Besides, this country was also founded on the backs of slaves as well as many other less than reputable things, does that mean slavery was ok also? Pretty weak argument for you guys.

Answer 1

Also it should be added that the first immigration laws were for health reasons!

Answer 2

I think you're looking at this the wrong way.

A bunch of Europeans came over to the Americas and decided that they could set up farms and cities and whatever else wherever they wanted.

They took advantage of the fact that the indigenous people had no written language, and a lot had no concept of ownership of land.

In doing this, the Europeans made themselves believe that they now "owned" land. Probably a lot had guilty consciences. It would be like asking a 3 year old to draw an X on a contract, call that X his/her signature, then hold the 3 year old responsible for whatever the contract stated.

Have you ever read the famous speech attributed to Chief Seattle? Check it out. Very nice. Although he may not have been the author, the sentiment is important.

You're getting caught up in one way of seeing things.

Anyway, we're all under God's laws no matter how much we try to convince ourselves otherwise.

Semantics.

Answer 3

"They pay $9 billion a year in income tax. They pay about $1.5 billion a year in sales tax". Which many of them get returned on an earned income check from the goverment "They are stone-cold indispensable for the agricultural and construction sectors in particular." Agriculture only, Construction jobs they have always been done by American citizens, and still would be for fair pay. Greedy employers rather employ illegals because they do not have to pay them for workman's comp, paid vacations, sick time,or health insurance. They just want slave labor, "Without them, the jobs wouldn't get done, as simple as that. In California, 75% of all fruit pickers are illegal immigrants and even during the current economic downturn there are approximately zero Americans going down there to join them." Only 23% of them are working in Agriculture, the rest are taking many jobs that Americans and legal residents WILL DO "Illegal immigrants have a lower unemployment rate than native-born Americans." Because they work for much lower wages and cannot afford to complain, without being threatened "They work harder, for longer hours, are more reliable and they're cheaper. Illegal workers better represent the spirit of hard work than the indigenous population, which has grown lazy and apathetic". Will they work harder once they are legal and can file complains and take sick days or take a break to which they are entittled by law? "Latina women are a lot better looking than the caucasian ones. Salma Hayek or Paris Hilton. Your choice" You could not prove it by the samples that we see in this country. You have got to be kidding right? That is a matter of taste Catherine Zeta Jones, Angelina Jolie or Salma Hayak

Answer 4

There were laws in the 1700's, they were just enforced by the British crown. British law generally prohibitted the westward expansion of the colonists. After the American Revolution however, Americans quickly expanded west, based on the belief of Manifest Destiny, that it was their God-given right to conqure the west. If you'll notice, Native Americans used to span all over the nation. When Americans would settle in their land, this often caused land disputes, and even violence. The federal government decided that for the interest of the American public, that they would relocate all Indian Tribes onto reservations. Most tribes got no sort of compensation for their loss of land. Now they live in Indian Reservations, most of them located in the west. Again, this is thanks to Manifest Destiny. Conqurers of the west didn't care whos land it was, all they cared about was controlling it and taming it. We never got any sort of official permission from the Native Americans to settle in America. We came, we saw, we conqured.

Answer 5

I totally agree with you! It was sooo long ago, in 1700s! Times have changed a lot. And if they want to come here then come here LEGALLY! our country might be "based on immigrants" but its based on LEGAL immigrants not illegal.

And I'm an immigrant too from Asia but not illegal, so don't bring the argument that "all immigrants are on our side". Seriously, I've heard sooo many illegals use that argument.

Answer 6

Millions came to America by boat, they waited at Ellis island, but they had their passports , visa's and all documents that were needed.They prayed while they waited hoping to be allowed to stay in America. They build our cities, they were prond to do it why? cause they had a great respect for the people of America.
Black afro Americans were slaves untill Abraham Lincoln gave them their freedom by giving freedom came citizenship. They didnt need to jump a border.
http://www.freewebs.com/psantee/

Answer 7

actually sweetheart, its not a weak argument. im taking an AP comparitive politics class. My teacher is white and for him to say this, it really stuck with me, he said " America would have NOT been able to industrialize and be the hegemonic (super power) power that it is today without slavery and without immigrant workers working for 4 dollars or no pay."... so U need to get ur facts straight, white folk stole the land from the indians and mexicans that were here way b4 columbis n his gang of crooks came. you reap wat you soe, america stole from everybody, now this $hit coming back n biting us in the a$$, thanks. peace

Answer 8

no matter what the country was founded on,today is a new day. New threats and more of them...