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[[File:Immigration chart (1).PNG|thumb|right|350px|By 2017, immigration in the United States was at or near its historic highs where Immigration Reform generally takes place.]]

[[File:Immigration chart (1).PNG|thumb|right|350px|By 2017, immigration in the United States was at or near its historic highs, when Immigration Reform generally took place.]]

'''Immigration''' is the settlement of a foreigner in another nation. The reasons [[immigrants]] leave their homeland can vary, but they often do so to benefit from entitlements or opportunities in the new country. Economic migration is more common in the 21st century, though immigrants also come in search of [[religious freedom|religious]] and political freedom, and better educational opportunities. War, and other forms of violence, also cause people to leave their homeland. Strict national immigration policies can be effective at controlling immigration when enforced.<ref>Helbling, Marc; Leblang, David (April 27, 2018). [https://ejpr.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/1475-6765.12279 Controlling immigration? How regulations affect migration flows]. ''European Journal of Political Research'', 58: 248-269. doi:10.1111/1475-6765.12279.</ref> Approximately 10 million European immigrants came to the United States between 1865-1900, most in search of religious freedom and greater prosperity.

'''Immigration''' is the settlement of a foreigner in another nation. The reasons [[immigrants]] leave their homeland can vary, but they often do so to benefit from entitlements or opportunities in the new country. Economic migration is more common in the 21st century, though immigrants also come in search of [[religious freedom|religious]] and political freedom, and better educational opportunities. War and other forms of violence also cause people to leave their homeland. Strict national immigration policies can be effective at controlling immigration when enforced.<ref>Helbling, Marc; Leblang, David (April 27, 2018). [https://ejpr.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/1475-6765.12279 Controlling immigration? How regulations affect migration flow]. ''European Journal of Political Research'', 58: 248-269. doi:10.1111/1475-6765.12279.<f/ref> Approximately 10 million European immigrants came to the United States between 1865 and 1900, most in search of religious freedom and greater prosperity.

Many of the top jobs in the [[U.S.]] are given away to foreigners now, such as the most lucrative [[baseball]] contracts. [[Liberal]] [[P-1 visa]]s allow this, which is just as harmful to the [[U.S.]] as sending [[American]] manufacturing jobs to foreign countries.

Many of the top jobs in the [[U.S.]] are given away to foreigners now, such as the most lucrative [[baseball]] contracts. [[Liberal]] [[P-1 visa]]s allow this, which is just as harmful to the [[U.S.]] as sending [[American]] manufacturing jobs to foreign countries.

Historians have shown that in the nineteenth century, the U.S. was a place where immigrants could stake their claims for a new life. After arrival, German and Irish immigrants settled regionally by nativity within the U.S. The Irish accounted for 68% of all immigrants to the Northeast; Germans accounted for 47% of all immigrants to the Midwest; British immigrants accounted for 19% of immigrants to the Northeast and 20% of immigrants to the Midwest. After arrival, the British, German, and Irish achieved success in U.S. labor markets, and the British and German immigrants found opportunity in skilled occupations. Irish Catholic immigrants did not fare as well as the other two groups in terms of jobs and economic status, but still fared better than had they remained in Ireland. Moreover, all groups sharply improved their average skills in the U.S. after arrival. Wages were much higher in the U.S. than in Europe, and it was much easier to own a farm. However, Americans worked much harder than their European cousins and took fewer holidays.

Historians have shown that in the nineteenth century, the U.S. was a place where immigrants could stake their claims for a new life. After arrival, German and Irish immigrants settled regionally by nativity within the U.S. The Irish accounted for 68% of all immigrants to the Northeast; Germans accounted for 47% of all immigrants to the Midwest; British immigrants accounted for 19% of immigrants to the Northeast and 20% of immigrants to the Midwest. After arrival, the British, German, and Irish achieved success in U.S. labor markets, and the British and German immigrants found opportunity in skilled occupations. Irish Catholic immigrants did not fare as well as the other two groups in terms of jobs and economic status, but still fared better than had they remained in Ireland. Moreover, all groups sharply improved their average skills in the U.S. after arrival. Wages were much higher in the U.S. than in Europe, and it was much easier to own a farm. However, Americans worked much harder than their European cousins and took fewer holidays.

Cohn (2009) asks, "Did immigration help or hurt native labor and did migration lead to long run economic growth?" Immigration increased the long-run rate of economic growth. During the nineteenth century, immigration extended the U.S. product market and allowed labor in manufacturing and agriculture to specialize. Larger pools of unskilled labor after 1845 put downward pressure on wages. However, over time, labor markets adjusted, migrants assimilated, and the economy moved forward.

Cohn (2009) asks, "Did immigration help or hurt native labor and did migration lead to long-run economic growth?" Immigration increased the long-run rate of economic growth. During the nineteenth century, immigration extended the U.S. product market and allowed labor in manufacturing and agriculture to specialize. Larger pools of unskilled labor after 1845 put downward pressure on wages. However, over time, labor markets adjusted, migrants assimilated, and the economy moved forward.

===Gilded Age: 1860–1900===

===Gilded Age: 1860–1900===

During the Gilded Age, 1865-1900, approximately 10 million European immigrants came to the United States, most in search of religious freedom and greater prosperity. They filled up the rich farmlands of the Middle West, as German and Scandinavian immigrants were especially eager to own land. They avoided the poverty-stricken South. The population surge in major U.S. cities as a result of immigration gave cities an even stronger impact on government, attracting power-hungry politicians and entrepreneurs. Pressuring voters or falsifying ballots was commonplace for politicians, who often sought power only to exploit their constituents. To accommodate the influx of people into the U.S., the federal government built [[Ellis Island]] in 1892 near the [[Statue of Liberty]]. After 1892, a short physical examination was given; those with contagious diseases were not admitted. Few immigrants went to the poverty-stricken South.

During the Gilded Age, 1865-1900, approximately 10 million European immigrants came to the United States, most in search of religious freedom and greater prosperity. They filled up the rich farmlands of the Middle West, as German and Scandinavian immigrants were especially eager to own land. They avoided the poverty-stricken South. The population surge in major U.S. cities as a result of immigration gave cities an even stronger impact on government, attracting power-hungry politicians and entrepreneurs. Pressuring voters or falsifying ballots was commonplace for politicians, who often sought power only to exploit their constituents. To accommodate the influx of people into the U.S., the federal government built [[Ellis Island]] in 1892 near the [[Statue of Liberty]]. After 1892, a short physical examination was given; those with contagious diseases were not admitted. Few immigrants went to the poverty-stricken South.

"During the mass emigration from [[Italy]] during the century between 1876 to 1976, the U.S. was the largest single recipient of Italian immigrants in the world... In 1850, less than 4,000 Italians were reportedly in the U.S. However in 1880, merely four years after the influx of Italian immigrants migrated, the population skyrocketed to 44,000, and by 1900, 484,027."<ref>[http://library.thinkquest.org/20619/Italian.html The Italians]</ref>

"During the mass emigration from [[Italy]] during the century between 1876 to 1976, the U.S. was the largest single recipient of Italian immigrants in the world... In 1850, less than 4,000 Italians were reportedly in the U.S. However, in 1880, merely four years after the influx of Italian immigrants, the population skyrocketed to 44,000, and by 1900, 484,027."<ref>[http://library.thinkquest.org/20619/Italian.html The Italians]</ref>

=== Chinese immigrants ===

=== Chinese immigrants ===

Labor unions such as the [[American Federation of Labor]] strongly opposed the presence of Chinese labor, by reason of both economic competition and race. Immigrants from China were not allowed to become citizens until 1950; however, their children born in the U.S. were full citizens.  

Labor unions such as the [[American Federation of Labor]] strongly opposed the presence of Chinese labor, by reason of both economic competition and race. Immigrants from China were not allowed to become citizens until 1950; however, their children born in the U.S. were full citizens.  

Congress banned further Chinese immigration through the [[Chinese Exclusion Act]] in 1882; the act prohibited Chinese laborers from entering the United States, but some students and businessmen were allowed in.

Congress banned further Chinese immigration through the [[Chinese Exclusion Act]] in 1882; the Act prohibited Chinese laborers from entering the United States, but some students and businessmen were allowed in.

Subsequent to the act, the Chinese population declined to only 37,000 in 1940. Many returned to China (a greater proportion than most other immigrant groups) yet most of them stayed in the United States. Chinese people were unwelcome in many areas, so they resettled in the "[[Chinatown]]" districts of large cities.

Subsequent to the act, the Chinese population declined to only 37,000 in 1940. Many returned to China (a greater proportion than most other immigrant groups) yet most of them stayed in the United States. Chinese people were unwelcome in many areas, so they resettled in the "[[Chinatown]]" districts of large cities.

==US immigration reform==

==US immigration reform==

Most Americans envisage and advocate for a coherent set of national interest principles for immigration policy and the enforcement of our Constitutionally derived laws. Many [[open borders]] advocates try to cloak themselves in the mantle of "immigration reform," as a [[Liberal euphemisms|liberal euphemism]], but they fail to address the concerns of the American populace and detriments to foreign countries that lose people. Due to lack of enforcement, illegal immigration occurs widely in the U.S., especially along the Mexican border.

Most Americans envisage and advocate for a coherent set of national interest principles for immigration policy and the enforcement of our Constitutionally derived laws. Many [[open borders]] advocates try to cloak themselves in the mantle of "immigration reform," as a [[Liberal euphemisms|liberal euphemism]], but they fail to address the concerns of the American populace and the detriments to foreign countries that lose people. Due to lack of enforcement, illegal immigration occurs widely in the U.S., especially along the Mexican border.

To some people, the value of American citizenship has increased greatly since the founding of the Republic. There are 12 million illegal immigrants in the United States, and it would be very costly to deport all these people. It becomes more complicated as they marry and have children, which are then legal U.S. citizens. There is a discussion of allowing these 12 million people to follow certain steps to become citizens who can pay taxes and become more contributing members of society. Some people view this as granting amnesty to criminals but do not offer an actual solution to the immigration problem.

To some people, the value of American citizenship has increased greatly since the founding of the Republic. There are 12 million illegal immigrants in the United States, and it would be very costly to deport all these people. It becomes more complicated as they marry and have children, who then potentially become legal U.S. citizens. There is a discussion of allowing these 12 million people to follow certain steps to become citizens who can pay taxes and become more contributing members of society. Some people view this as granting amnesty to criminals but do not offer an actual solution to the immigration problem.

While Congress considers new laws, the federal government is left with the task of enforcing existing laws fairly. For example, on November 14, 2016, the U.S. Department of Justice filed a suit against two Washington State-based potato processing companies for discriminating against immigrant workers. These companies had allowed citizens flexibility in proving their status, but had unfairly limited immigrants in proving their work authorization.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/justice-department-files-lawsuit-against-washington-potato-company-and-pasco-processing|title=Justice Department Files Lawsuit Against Washington Potato Company and Pasco Processing Alleging Discrimination Against Immigrants|date=Nov. 14, 2016|accessdate=Aug 20,2017}}</ref>

While Congress considers new laws, the federal government is left with the task of enforcing existing laws fairly. For example, on November 14, 2016, the outgoing [[Obama Administration]]'s [[U.S. Department of Justice]] filed a suit against two [[Washington State]]-based potato processing companies for discriminating against immigrant workers. These companies had allowed citizens flexibility in proving their status, but had unfairly limited immigrants in proving their work authorization.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/justice-department-files-lawsuit-against-washington-potato-company-and-pasco-processing|title=Justice Department Files Lawsuit Against Washington Potato Company and Pasco Processing Alleging Discrimination Against Immigrants|date=Nov. 14, 2016|accessdate=Aug 20,2017}}</ref>

A Harvard/Harris Poll conducted in the Summer of 2019 revealed that 69 percent of swing [[voter]]s said they are somewhat unlikely or very unlikely to support a [[2020 presidential candidate]] that supports opening the U.S.-Mexico border to more [[illegal]] and [[legal]] immigration. Overall, about 64 percent of registered voters said they would be more unlikely to support a 2020 presidential candidate that backs increasing illegal and legal immigration to the country — including about 63 percent of [[Generation X]] voters, 45 percent of [[Democrat]]s, and 66 percent of voters who describe themselves as “[[moderate]].”<ref>https://www.breitbart.com/politics/2019/08/05/poll-swing-voters-hugely-oppose-2020-democrats-promising-more-immigration/</ref>

A Harvard/Harris Poll conducted in the Summer of 2019 revealed that 69 percent of swing [[voter]]s said they are somewhat unlikely or very unlikely to support a [[2020 presidential candidate]] that supports opening the U.S.-Mexico border to more [[illegal]] and [[legal]] immigration. Overall, about 64 percent of registered voters said they would be more unlikely to support a 2020 presidential candidate that backs increasing illegal and legal immigration to the country — including about 63 percent of [[Generation X]] voters, 45 percent of [[Democrat]]s, and 66 percent of voters who describe themselves as “[[moderate]].”<ref>https://www.breitbart.com/politics/2019/08/05/poll-swing-voters-hugely-oppose-2020-democrats-promising-more-immigration/</ref>