Do you wish to trade this new kind of immigrant for those in the good ol' days?

Question

Have you seen this letter Written in response to a series of letters to the editor in the Orange County Register?

Dear Editor:
So many letter writers have based their arguments on how this land is made up of immigrants. Ernie Lujan for one, suggests we should tear down the Statute of Liberty because the people now in question aren't being treated the same as those who passed through Ellis Island and other ports of entry.
Maybe we should turn to our history books and point out to people like Mr. Lujan why today's American is not willing to accept this new kind of immigrant any longer.
Back in 1900 when there was a rush from all areas of Europe to come to the United States, people had to get off a ship and stand in a long line in New York and be documented. Some would even get down on their hands and knees and kiss the ground. They made a pledge to uphold the laws and support their new country in good and bad times.

They made

learning English a primary rule in their new American households and some
even changed their names to blend in with their new home.
They had waved good bye to their birth place to give their children
a new life and did everything in their power to help their children
assimilate into one culture. Nothing was handed to them. No free lunches,
no welfare, no labor laws to protect them.
All they had were the skills and craftsmanship they had
brought with them to trade for a future of prosperity.
Most of their children came of age when World War II broke out. My
father fought along side men whose parents had come straight over
from Germany, Italy, France and Japan. None of these 1st generation Americans
ever gave any thought about what country their parents had come from.
They were Americans fighting Hilter, Mussolini and the Emperor of Japan.
They were defending the United States of America as one people.

When we liberated France, no one in those villages were looking for the
French-American or the German American or the Irish American. The people
of France saw only Americans.
And we carried one flag that represented one country. Not one of
those immigrant sons would have thought about picking up another
country's flag and waving it to represent who they were. It would
have been a disgrace to their parents who had sacrificed so much to be here.
These immigrants truly knew what it meant to be an American. They stirred
the melting pot into one red, white and blue bowl.
And here we are in 2006 with a new kind of immigrant who wants
the same rights and privileges. Only they want to achieve it by playing
with a different set of rules, one that includes the entitlement card
and a guarantee of being faithful to their mother country. I'm sorry,
that's not what being an American is all about.

I believe that the
immigrants who landed on Ellis Island in the early 1900s deserve better than
that for all the toil, hard work and sacrifice in raising future generations
to create a land that has become a beacon for those legally searching for a better life. I think they would be appalled that they are being used as an example by those waving foreign country flags.
And for that suggestion about taking down the Statute of Liberty, it happens to mean a lot to the citizens who are voting on the immigration bill. I wouldn't start talking about dismantling the United States just yet.

Answer 1

Folks ...

Illegal aliens are economic terrorists.
How? They're receiving FREE medical care, foodstamps and other freebies. A portion of YOUR PAYCHECK pays them.

Big difference between the current crop of people applying for citizenship and the people from Ellis Island who did everything legal and were checked out for diseases and criminal backgrounds.

Answer 2

Read this in another question last night. This is a bunch of BS. The "good old days" was when the immigrants came over here and worked for slave wages and risked their lives or their body parts making money for wealthy business owners. Then when they tried to organize they were harassed, jailed, or murdered. They were brought in as scabs during strikes when they didnt understand what was going on and couldnt speak the language. They were treated as badly as the blacks and the native Americans. These were not "GOOD OLD DAYS" they were awful old days. If someone died in a foundry or a coal mine, they were brought to the doorstep of their family's company home and left on the doorstep. Then tossed out of the company home if they didnt have anyone else who could go to work in the factory the mine or the fields. And yes, their children were the first ones called to war while some, like the Bush familly, didnt have to go to war. So not only did the upper classes make their money off of the backs of immigrants, but they fought their wars for them too. All of my grandparents came thru Ellis Island on stinking ships and they would be the first to say that no one should be treated badly, that they know what it's like to come to a new country and be treated like dirt. They had big hearts and would be the first to open their homes to a newcomer. So tell that to the Orange County Register and all you wealthy Republicans who are so quick to point a finger. Read a history book, people. And maybe walk a mile in someone else's shoes.

Answer 3

America is a melting pot. None expects a new LEGAL immigrant to forget where he's from. But if we came here it means we WANT to be American, otherwise why would we go through all the bureaucracy of the immigration officers for years and years just to be able to come here legally?.
As for Mexicans... you guys missing one important thing. Mexicans come here with main goal to concur America peacefully without a war. They are pretty much sent here to win. The saddest thing is - they are winning.

Answer 4

My parents didn't change their name due to racism. THE GUY ABOVE ME IS WRONG. Names were changed so they could be easily pronounced. My father fought in the US Navy in the Korean war. If immigrants want to come to this country they should be able and willingly enlisted in the military to fight for our country during our times of war.

Answer 5

STAND IN LINE TO BE D O C U M E N T E D!!!

They obeyed the immigration rules of the time and were awarded the rights they recieved.

By following the rules!!!! YES, I'd like to see that again!

Answer 6

I do think it's kind of strange.... why would someone want to immigrate to America if not to be an American. My grandparents came over - kept their last names fully (although my grandma for the first 9 years had a different firts name becuase they couldn't understand hers) but.... they moved to an area inherantly Polish and yes, continued to speak the language as a way to learn English. Their children spoke English. they owned a TV and my grnadpa - one of the first motorcycles -- they came here to BE American's first and Polish second. we still maintained some traditions but with our family and our church/school -- not expecting anyone to change the rules for us.

I'm old school and while I enjoy ALL different types of ethnic foods, music and languages, first and foremost this is America and we should be Americans.

Answer 7

Your telling me poeple should forget where they come from and their history to become a US citizen?! The reason why people aren't kissing the ground is because now the government refuses to even give out I.D's.

Answer 8

Yes i do wish they were like that, I also wish americans were the way they were back in the 50's they would never stand for this ****, would have kicked all the beaners to the curb long ago

Answer 9

They changed their names because of the racism against them.....Yes, their was racism all the way back in the day.....My Irish ancesters changed their names for this reason ONLY..... Just ask the Italian (WOP) who came in that day also. WE have continued to harbor this RACISM all the way from the good ol days as you call them to today.

Answer 10

Very well said. Sadly most will not understand or care. It's all about give me some.