Changes

'''Immigration''' is the entry of a person of a certain nationality to another nation. The reasons for [[immigrants]] to leave their homeland can vary from abandonment of their family there to an attempt to benefit from entitlements or opportunities in a new country.

'''Immigration''' is the entry of a person of a foreign nationality to another nation. The reasons for [[immigrants]] to leave their homeland can vary, but many came to America in search of  religious freedom and greater prosperity.

==US Immigration history==

==US Immigration history==

===Colonial America===

===Colonial America===

There is a longstanding belief that the United States of America is a country of immigrants, often used as an argument in favor of [[illegal immigration]] by [[liberals]]. The truth, however, is that most of the migration to the U.S. in the colonial era came from Britain, with English, Scots and (Protestant) Irish.  They moved inside the Empire and did not leave their native country for a foreign land, so they are not considered "immigrants" any more than a person who moves from Florida to Alaska today.

There is a longstanding belief that the United States of America is a country of immigrants, often used as an argument in favor of [[illegal immigration]] by [[liberals]]. The truth, however, is that most of the migration to the U.S. in the colonial era came from Britain, with English, Scots and (Protestant) Irish.  They moved inside the Empire and did not leave their native country for a foreign land, so they are not considered "immigrants" any more than a person who moves from Florida to Alaska today. However, immigration from these places continued after America became independent.

A large number of [[German American|German immigrants]] came to Pennsylvania and New York. To this day they are called "Pennsylvania Dutch" but they were Germans, and came for religious freedom and economic opportunity.  Dutch did come and settle in New Amsterdam (now New York), which was part of the Dutch Empire so they were not "immigrants" either.  [[Black history|Black slaves]] were involuntary immigrants to all the colonies, especially the tobacco plantations of Virginia and Maryland, and the rice plantations of South Carolina. The [[American Revolution]] cut off movement from 1775 to 1783. When it resumed, about 80,000 American Loyalists left the U.S. to immigrate to Canada or return to Britain.  Migration was light before 1815, because of wars in Europe. The import or export of slaves was made illegal in 1809.

A large number of [[German American|German immigrants]] came to Pennsylvania and New York. To this day they are called "Pennsylvania Dutch" but they were Germans, and came for religious freedom and economic opportunity.  Dutch did come and settle in New Amsterdam (now New York), which was part of the Dutch Empire so they were not "immigrants" either.  [[Black history|Black slaves]] were involuntary immigrants to all the colonies, especially the tobacco plantations of Virginia and Maryland, and the rice plantations of South Carolina. The [[American Revolution]] cut off movement from 1775 to 1783. When it resumed, about 80,000 American Loyalists left the U.S. to immigrate to Canada or return to Britain.  Migration was light before 1815, because of wars in Europe. The import or export of slaves was made illegal in 1809.