EXAMINING AMERICA'S IMMIGRATION HISTORY AND POLICY DEBATE

The article, "Learning from America’s immigrant past," published by the Washington Examiner, delves into the historical context and ongoing debates surrounding immigration in the United States. It highlights current statistics, noting approximately 800,000 new citizens and 1 million green card recipients annually, challenging the notion of closed borders. The author discusses varying perspectives on immigration levels, from opening gates wider with skill-based priorities to calls for reductions. The piece clarifies misconceptions about past "open border" policies before 1924 and emphasizes the importance of accurate historical understanding in contemporary immigration discourse. The current debate often focuses on enforcing laws against undocumented individuals.