Immigration Through the Years

We are hearing a lot about immigration these days. We might take a look at this subject and realize the progress we have made through the years!
We often hear it said that "we are all immigrants." (Except for the Native-Americans, who were here when we came!)
The immigrants came mostly from Europe when our nation was founded. The Irish came because of the "potato famine," settling mostly in Boston and New York City. Germans, and others, settled mostly farther West or the South.
It was tough going for them. Those who arrived as families were much better off than those arriving who were single males. They lived in tenements or basements, where they cared for their children, if they had any, and became respectable members of their communities.
Among the single males, prostitution and begging were everywhere present. They became known as the "Dangerous Classes!" Gangs filled the slums, and politicians, like "Boss Tweed" hired gangs on election day, to intimidate, and sometimes beat up on opponents of Boss Tweed's. They were paid in cash, or sometimes in alcohol. In those days there was not such thing as a "secret ballot," that didn't come until 1915! Many of the police "gossiped, drank, and smoked." They were not much good at keeping order!
When the English writer, Rudyard Kipling, visited New York he said they were: "first cousins to a Zanzibar Zulu ... " and were a "shiftless outcome of squalid barbarism and reckless extravagance." America has made much progress through the years!
A writer commenting in 1860 had this to say about "Hell's Kitchen," and other rough sections of New York, there were: " ... streets ... [that were] ill paved, broken by carts and omnibuses into ruts and perilous gullies, obstructed by boxes and sign boards, [quite] impassable by reason of thronging vehicles, ... filled with filth and garbage, which was left where it had been thrown to rot and send out its pestiferous fumes, ... fever and cholera [were ever present]. Their ... drivers dashed through the crowd furiously, reckless of life, ... women and children were knocked down and trampled on ... rowdyism seemed to rule ... [and] it was at risk of your life that you walked the streets late at night, ... "
Immigrants were at least more than 20% of our total population in 1860. Another 20%
So why did they come? They came because America was "the land of opportunity," and they cared about what kind of a country they were leaving their children and grandchildren. Many had made great sacrifices so that their posterity could have the chance they never had!
Immigrants were at least more than 20% of the total population in 1860. Another 20% had died on ships coming to America. Those that survived were successful, especially as their skills improved. The ones who had come as families made their way all right! We, in America, are having quite a problem with "illegal immigrants" these days! Many immigrants are coming to the U.S. "illegally," because the federal government has failed to seal our borders! Gangs are once more menacing our land! Our social services are being inundated! If we are to survive as a nation, we need to do something about it!
I am open the your suggestions!