US Presidents Often Downplay the Long History of Open Borders in America, Experts Claim
The latest National Security Strategy (NSS) published by Donald Trump's White House has sparked concerns among immigration experts over its views on open borders. The plan claims that "unchecked migration" poses a threat to European societies and even calls for ending "The Era of Mass Migration." However, this assertion ignores the country's complex history with immigration.
According to Daniel Mendiola, a professor of Latin American history and migration studies at Vassar College, the US has a long tradition of open borders. Unlike popularly perceived notion that border control began recently in the 1990s, Mendiola reveals it was nearly the first 150 years of America's existence that immigration policies were non-existent.
During this early period, people assumed to be admissible entered the country without scrutiny and the federal government did not implement any restrictions on immigration. The 1920s saw a change with the implementation of full border controls but Mendiola explains it was more flexible than modern-day systems.
In contrast, most of the history of US policy has been about relaxed rules for immigration, not closed ones. Historically, countries in Central America and Latin America, such as Mexico, granted the right to immigrate through their constitutions.
The latest National Security Strategy (NSS) published by Donald Trump's White House has sparked concerns among immigration experts over its views on open borders. The plan claims that "unchecked migration" poses a threat to European societies and even calls for ending "The Era of Mass Migration." However, this assertion ignores the country's complex history with immigration.
According to Daniel Mendiola, a professor of Latin American history and migration studies at Vassar College, the US has a long tradition of open borders. Unlike popularly perceived notion that border control began recently in the 1990s, Mendiola reveals it was nearly the first 150 years of America's existence that immigration policies were non-existent.
During this early period, people assumed to be admissible entered the country without scrutiny and the federal government did not implement any restrictions on immigration. The 1920s saw a change with the implementation of full border controls but Mendiola explains it was more flexible than modern-day systems.
In contrast, most of the history of US policy has been about relaxed rules for immigration, not closed ones. Historically, countries in Central America and Latin America, such as Mexico, granted the right to immigrate through their constitutions.
. It's crazy how often we forget about the history books when it comes to immigration. Like, who needs rules and regulations when you've got a country that's supposed to be built on freedom and opportunity, right? 
And now we're talking about ending "The Era of Mass Migration" like it's some kind of bad thing? It's all just so... convenient that it fits into the current administration's narrative 
.
. I mean, I knew the US has a history of immigration, but I didn't realize it was that old 
. It's crazy to think that basically, there were no borders or restrictions in the early days of America, and then suddenly they started getting stricter in the 1920s 
. Like, what triggered this change? Was it economic concerns or something else? 
i mean, what changed? why do we have all these restrictions now? is it because of politics or something? 
. It's kinda like how some people might view immigration as just somethin' that's always been there, without really considerin' all the complexities and history behind it.
. Like, have you ever heard of the Bracero Program from the 1940s to 1964? That was basically a guest worker program that brought in millions of people from Mexico and other Latin American countries for labor... but nobody's talking about that! 
It just shows how selective we are when it comes to interpreting our own history. Anyway, I hope someone in the White House reads this and gives it some thought 
It's actually been pretty relaxed for most of its existence. Like, nearly 150 years ago, people just showed up and were let in without any checks or balances... it's wild to think about! 
. I mean, I get why people would be concerned about migration and all that, but it feels like we're being kind of weirdly simplistic by saying "oh, this is new" when really it's just a different era 
. The idea that people just waltzed into America without any restrictions is kinda cool, I guess 
. But, like, what about all those indigenous peoples who were already here? Shouldn't they be considered part of the US immigration history too? 
. It's like we've always had this relaxed attitude towards borders.
That's some solid precedent right there! Maybe we shouldn't be so strict about it now... 
. Like, we're talking 150+ years without any major border control measures in place? That's wild. It makes sense that the country evolved and changed its policies over time, but it's crazy how often the narrative gets flipped around to say that America's all about strict borders now 
. I mean, sure, we've had our share of controversies and debates about immigration, but to completely gloss over the country's history on this topic? 
It just seems like a simplistic view if you ask me 
. The 1800s were all about immigration with minimal restrictions 
. And even when the 1920s came around and things got more strict, it was still way more relaxed than what we see today 
.
. And now the US is like 'oh no, mass migration is bad' 
. The truth is, immigration has always been a part of American history 
. We need to be real about it and stop downplaying the whole open borders thing 
. I mean, think about it, no borders for nearly 150 years? That's wild. And now they're saying we gotta start controlling who comes in? It just don't add up, you know? The history of open borders in America is way more complex than most people realize. We had countries like Mexico and others in Central America granting immigrants the right to enter through their constitutions... that's some crazy stuff. I think its time for a reality check on this whole immigration thing 
Another reminder that our global world is just getting more complex 
! No borders, no restrictions... it was like a free pass to America 
. So, why is it so hard for US Presidents to just acknowledge this history and move forward?