Our time in the Kansas City area has given me the opportunity to further explore my family story of chain migration between 1900 and 1910. My paternal grandmother’s brother arrived with his wife in Kansas City from Russia/Poland, and then brought to the United States his siblings, his mother, and at least two cousins. I have not counted the number of descendants that resulted from one couple being the anchor family, but there are MANY! There are so many stories like this, where people looking for a better life in the United States were able to work, live, raise families, and contribute to local life.
I discovered that, after officiating at a local funeral a few months ago, I had been standing in the presence of cousins, who were the great-grandchildren of that first couple that came, my great uncle and great aunt. A relative of that family attends services at Temple regularly. Other cousins who are part of this tale have attended services as well. Taking part in a B’nai Mitzvah a few months ago brought together some of the descendants of the original wave of arrivals 110 plus years ago.
This is the story I see in migration to the United States at any time, even now, without suspicion and dehumanization of those who would aspire to become American citizens.
In reading the book AND THERE WAS LIGHT by Jon Meacham, there is an account of the “Know-Nothing” nativist party/movement that began in the 1850s, bringing together people who spread rumors about new arrivals to the United States trying to subvert the national civil and religious order. This was but one chapter, preceded by some and followed by others, of the galvanization of anti-immigrant sentiments.
We have never needed such a movement to take hold, but it did, which led to restrictive immigration policies in the 1920s, well before the Great Depression could have been cited as a reason not to allow more new arrivals.
The origin point of immigrants may be different now than before, but the attitudes have not changed, with the current presence of those who would hope to create active pathways to citizenship and others who would seek to keep our “golden door” closed as tightly as possible.
I just know that people who seek to live in the United States deserve care, consideration, support, and an opportunity, if only we could find it in our hearts to provide it. My grandparents had that chance, and, for that, I am grateful.
