It’s sometimes implied that Donald Trump’s anti-immigrant racism is new to the United States – a historical aberration, even among Republicans. An old video of Ronald Reagan praising immigrants is doing the rounds online. The former president says: "Anybody from any corner of the world can come to America to live and become an American. This I believe is one of the most important sources of America’s greatness."
But Reagan’s "melting pot" ideal has always been controversial. In 1798, Congress passed the Alien and Sedition Acts, which made it harder to become a citizen and easier to kick out foreigners. It was unwise, explained one congressman, to "invite hordes of Wild Irishmen, nor the turbulent…
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