I have been an employer in the hospitality industry for more than a few of decades, (at one point 3800 employees), and have employed more than my share of illegals. In the 60's in Chicago and throughout the Midwest, it was Greeks, Polish, and Lithuanians, even a few Russians, and Cubans. Most of these wonderful folks stayed long enough to establish a record of employment and opened their own businesses, or bought homes and learned English and blended into our lives as equals.
In the 70's it was Middle Easterners, and in the south, it was the beginning of the heavy Mexican influx. In the 80's it began the Pacific Rim invasion, Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese, and more Mexicans. The 90's was more Middle Easterners, and a lot more Central American's, than Mexican. It became a joke and a pattern that we had a second shift of Muslims that would work Sundays and Holidays to keep the doors opened when everyone else wanted or just took those days off.
My jobs were in the beginning, low paying, bottom rung, entry level jobs. Jobs that were steady and dirty. Maintainance, housekeeping, kitchen, dishwashing, busboy.. I started hiring illegals as a practice in the 70's by necessity. By then, we had changed the school calendar (shorter summer vacation making training high school kids almost useless), child labor laws, under 16 unavailable, and with few exceptions (blacks), welfare or single mom minorities, that wouldn't work longer than 26 weeks. Just long enough to qualify for extended unemployment. It was far more insidious than just quitting after 26 weeks, they would fake an injury and file suit, or claim harassment, or labor claims against our company, costing thousands and keeping a law firm, not just a lawyer on the payroll (the 4th largest line item on my P & L statement).
For the most part, we kept these employees and raised their pay as they increased their effectiveness just to prevent the turnover. They would furnish us with relatives to replace themselves as they moved up the job ladder. NOBODY applied for these positions, and paying $12 an hour, plus benefits $6 more, for a dishwasher just doesn't work. These folks worked for $8, and would take home food, and learn a trade, cook, bellboy, bartender, waiter, and move up as soon as we taught them.
I left the hassle to raise my children, but just as much to escape the government and changing attitudes of my fellow countrymen toward immigrants.. and this sort of problem we are faced with today.. Bitch all you want, but you are not allowed to be as aware as you need to be.. Today you have almost exclusively fast foods and poor motel service because of this pressure to pander to your emotions,. Now you pump your own gas, pick up your own food in a restaurant, and soon you will make your own beds, or purchase fruits and vegetables from Timbuktu, because we cut off immigration... I'm outta here.. Bash Bush, bus your own tables, and feed your kids junk.. you are winning.. Developing..
I don't understand you're point - immigration , both legal & illegal, is at an all time high and there's every indication it will be accelerating.
There is one huge difference betwen the people you write about and the illegal alien problem tiday.
Your people came legally, and expected to make roots here.
Most of the illegals today send much of their money home and only expect to make money here. They have no plans on staying and starting a new life here.
They aren't really immigrants they are temporary workers.
I'm all for legal immigration, as most immigrants have a burning desire to make a new life and work hard to do it. That desire is what has made the Country great.
But today we have people coming here expecting to go on Gov assistance.
I think some sort of temporary work visa is an excellent idea, BUT there has to be benefit restrictions.
No SS benefits ( possibly collect SS taxes and apply it to their country of origin old age plan),
emergency medical care only ( or thru an employer plan),
children born to work visa holders are NOT U.S. citizens.
If they lose the job, bye- bye.
But first, enforce the border.