Does America always blame all its problems on immigrants?

Question

Can anyone find examples of xenophobia and nativism in times of trouble? When in trouble, do US people always blame immigrants?

How is this for a reference?
http://www.daylabormovie.com/discussion/Cycles_of_Nativism.pdf

This is what Abraham Lincoln has to say
"Our progress in degeneracy appears to me pretty rapid, as a nation we began by declaring "all men are created equal." We now practically read it, "all men are created equal, except Negroes." When the Know-Nothings get control, it will read "all men are created equal, except Negroes, and foreigners, and Catholics." When it comes to this I should prefer emigrating to some country where they make no pretense of loving liberty-to Russia, for example, where despotism can be taken pure and without the base alloy of hypocrisy"

Didn't Roosevelt issue a corollary to the Monroe Doctrine implying the US had the right to intervene anywhere in Latin America?
If the US government can go anywhere it wants in Latin America, it only seems fair that Latin Americans should be able to go anywhere in the US.

Answer 1

Hmmm. Despite what you've read in previous answers there have been two instances where federal law has targeted immigrants: The Chinese Exclusion Act, and The Alien and Sedition Act.

Americans a spoiled and lazy people. We would much rather blame someone for a perceived problem (Remember, the economy is booming, yet we're under attack from Mexico. Can conservatives really have it bothe ways??) rather than take any initiative. If we're in such great danger, why aren't millions of us gathered along the border from Brownsville to San Diego? Isn't this magnificent example of the brilliance of capitalism worth saving at any individual cost?

We blame 'illegal' immigrants because we are a people caught in the indecision of a corporate-enforced perpetual adoloescence.

Answer 2

Theodore Roosevelt’s ideas on Immigrants and being an AMERICAN in 1907:
“In the first place, we should insist that if the immigrant who comes here in good faith becomes an American and assimilates himself to us, he shall be treated on an exact equality with everyone else, for it is an outrage to discriminate against any such man because of creed, or birthplace, or origin. But this is predicated upon the person’s becoming in every facet an American and nothing but an American. … There can be no divided allegiance here. Any man who says he is an American, but something else also, isn’t an American at all. We have room for but one flag, the American flag. … We have room for but one language here and that is the English language … and we have room for but one sole loyalty and that is a loyalty to the American people.”
Theodore Roosevelt 1907

Answer 3

It is about illegals not about immigrants. This is about illegals and their supports wanting to not deal with issue of the cost to the American people of their breaking immigrations laws.
And yes, we in this country have made a lot of mistakes, and we do have stains on our history, but we must be doing somethings right if half of the world would beat a path to our door, given the chance

Answer 4

I didn't write this, a friend sent it to me. It explains my view of the situation though.

Let me see if I correctly understand

Let's say I break into your house.
Let's say that when you discover me in your house, you insist that I leave.
But I say, "I've made all the beds and washed the dishes and did the laundry and swept the floors. I've done all the things you don't like to do. I'm hard-working and honest
(except for when I broke into your house).
Does that mean:
You are REQUIRED To Let Me STAY In Your House
You are REQUIRED To Add Me To Your Family's Insurance Plan
You are REQUIRED To Educate My Kids
You are REQUIRED To Provide Other Benefits To Me & To My Family
(my husband will do all of your yard work because he is also hard-working and honest, except for that breaking in part).


If you try to call the police or force me out, I will call my friends who will picket your house carrying signs that proclaim my RIGHT to be there.


It's only fair, after all, because you have a nicer house than I do, and I'm just trying to better myself. I'm a hard-working
and honest, person, except for well, you know, I did break into your house
And what a deal it is for me!!!


So, I live in your house, contributing only a fraction of the cost of my keep, and there is nothing you can do about it
without being accused of cold, uncaring, selfish, prejudiced, and bigoted behavior.

Oh yeah, I DEMAND that you learn MY LANGUAGE!!! so you can communicate with me.

Answer 5

They constantly blame each little thing on the "minorities" in this usa. did no longer ya comprehend? Europeans got here here and settled centuries in the past too while the natives owned the land. And the Indians are nevertheless on reservation camps until eventually right this moment.

Answer 6

I blame president Bush for most of America's problems.

Answer 7

Traditionally yes. Those hard working Irish and Italians were once half breed mongrel bastard with too many kids, bad english speaking drunkards with no moral values.

Answer 8

Do you know the word ILLEGAL? We are not blaming immigrants for all our problems. We are saying that illegal aliens should not be here. Immigrants are welcome because immigrants come here LEGALLY. Illegal aliens are here ILLEGALLY(thus the name) so they are not welcome. When you can grasp THAT concept you will understand that your question is just silly.

Legal: NOUN:

1. One that is in accord with certain rules or laws.

Illegal: not according to or authorized by law

Alien: Owing political allegiance to another country or government; foreign

Answer 9

America is made up of immigrants. My grandpartent were immigrants. As far as ILLEGAL immigrants are concerned, America has enough problems, we do not need 8 million more to burden our taxpayers.

Answer 10

Historically speaking - the majority always blames the minority.