re: "Were your ancestors good, law abiding immigrants?" (B.C. Courier Times, 2/27/16)

Castle Clinton

"On August 3, 1855, Castle Garden opened as an immigrant landing depot. The creation of Castle Garden, the official immigrant processing center in the nation, represented a country at a crossroads, signaling a change in American immigration policy, and in the ways through which immigrants became Americans.
During the next 34 years, over 8 million people entered the United States through Castle Garden. Two out of every three immigrants to the United States in this period passed through the Castle Garden. It was closed on April 18, 1890" (cf, http://www.nps.gov/cacl/learn/historyculture/index.htm, accessed 2/27/16)

Ellis Island

"From 1892 to 1954, over twelve million immigrants entered the United States through the portal of Ellis Island, a small island in New York Harbor. " (cf, http://www.libertyellisfoundation.org/ellis-island-history, accessed 2/27/16)

"Were your ancestors good, law abiding immigrants?"

"My immigrant grandfather was a good American who became a citizen on the first day it was possible.  He insisted that every member of his family speak English, because 'We're Americans now.'  At least that's his descendants' story, and I expect most will stick to it.  The problem is none of it is true...

"Something I learned from others having an interest in European immigrant genealogy is that our ancestors were often inexplicably secretive about their histories....they not only often withheld the truth, but fabricated stories that they told as true, possibly to ease their descendants' way into American life, or to conceal some irregular aspects of their immigrant status....

"I am troubled by the smug attitude of many Americans, who preface their comments on today's debates over immigration with, 'Immigrants today aren't like my ancestors; my ancestors were law-abiding.  They came here legally.  They were anxious to become good Americans.  They learned to speak English right away'....

"before you repeat it in judgement of others, ask yourself - are you really sure?"  (B.C. Courier Times, Were your ancestors good, law abiding immigrants?, 2/27/16)