The current political debate surrounding immigration serves as a reminder that such disputes have arisen many times in our past. As President John F. Kennedy stated in “A Nation of Immigrants,” more than 45 million immigrants had come to America by 1965, almost all of them without any documentation. Ironically, the only “documented aliens” entering American shores in our early history were African slaves. However, given the fact that they were deemed chattel, they were listed as nameless items of property to be sold rather than as individuals who had had any choice in emigrating.

Read the entire article in the 03-17 edition.