Illegal Immigration and past forefathers?

This short, to the point statement should be read by everyone in AMERICA !

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

From the perspective of the American Indians, all of the others are illegal aliens (and see what happened to us since we didn't get together and stop that migration).

Migration of people have always had their problems. Stories about the Cherokee, some of my ancestors, is that we were 'the people of the east', but anthropologists say we were from somewhere north of where the English found us (Georgia, Tennessee, & western North Carolina today)--which is, of course, east of where the tribe is officially located today in Oklahoma. Stories are that we were hard to get along with, so migrations were sort of forced by the neighbors. So, when the europeans took over, they forced us to move again.

Part of the problem today, however, is that we don't want our culture to change. Unfortunately, the openness of our society and culture changes we have done on our own simply open the door to still more change. Some people come to our country because of opportunities we find. Some come to our country to escape problems. Some come bringing problems because they are problems. A problem of freedom is sorting out a free people fairly. Since we can't seem to agree on that, we are stuck.

I am afraid we have no solutions that do not involve conflict and confrontation on one side or the other. Transitions are rarely easy, and it is rarely possible to go back to where we were. Sorry, but I guess we'll have to make the best of it and try to make it easier for all whenever we can.

It is a persons individual decision to learn english or not and you should respect that. Just as it was your ancestors decision to not teach you german. Also, those of us whose ancestors have come before yours, the laws were no where near as strict as they are now. In some cases there were no laws. So how can you act like illegal immigrants are doing something so horrible, when they are just trying to make a better life for themselves. There are money requirements to get a visa, and those that come here are people that would never in their lives be able to afford it. You make $10 (us dollars) a day, how can you be expected to have $10,000 (us dollars) in the bank and own land? I am not saying that we need to open the borders wide open, but they have to make it easier!

BRAVO!! I agree my family came over legally as well and at the time that meant a stay in cramped, dirty quarters on Ellis Island; a name change (first & last); and a change of religion. They also did the same thing and learned American English because THIS was the country they chose to live in. Although they did teach my mother their native language so when they talked to family still in the old country.

That's what I'm talking about! My father's side of the family came to the New World in the 1600's from Ireland, so they already spoke English. My mother's side, however, came here in 1920 from Greece. My great grandparents spoke only Greek when they arrived, but they learned English, and insisted that their children learn it. Today, nobody on my mother's side of the family knows Greek, because my great grandparents knew that when they came to this country and built a life here, they came to be Americans, and their Greek identity became their Greek heritage. I wish all immigrants these days understood that.

THANK YOU!!! I am only about the third generation out of Ireland and guess what?? My ancestors learned English and I know that both my German and Irish ancestors came legally. I looked it up at Ellis Island too.

yea! i love u !

and i'm with you on that count. Same here, immigrated from ITaly 150 yrs ago, documented at ellisisland.org and my entire family is American and speaks English.

The world has moved on as they say.

IT makes me glad to know that you, a hospital worker, is acknowleding this because that is very improtant in the crusade. Too many health care workers will go with the flow, being liberal, and call people who want illegal immigrants out , racist. We tried that here in CA and that's what we got on top of Doctors saying "I'll treat everybody" and teacher saying "I'll teach them all - no it doesn't matter that you pay taxes, your child has to suffer in a class of 40 students" because 25% are illegals and WE are paying for that !

Kudos !

Let me just add one thing---also remember alot of people that migrated in that time--also came in with false documents and changed their name, in order to be accepted. The fact that others were deported, scared other's into falsifying documents etc.--I'm not saying your grandfather did, I'm informing you that altho they entered Ellis Island legally, 60% of the people brought false papers so that they could gain entry--basically the same thing in my book.

I agree completely.

There is a HUGE distinction between illegal immigrants who work here under false papers, get paid under the table and pay no taxes, and who expect to receive the same services that taxpaying citizens receive, and legal immigrants.

If you want the American dream, come here legally, pay your taxes, and EARN the benefits.

I AGREE COMPLETELY.. my great grandparents came over from Italy, and the correct way, with papers. Yes they taught my grandma and her siblings Italian, but they most spoke English, POINT IS THEY FLUENTLY SPOKE THE LANGUAGE OF OUR COUNTRY ENGLISH...it is amazing the things the illegals are getting away with now.. and i disagree with it