Lincoln, Immigrants, and the American Dream

 The topic of immigration in the U.S. has always been controversial, including during Abraham Lincoln’s time. In his February Illinois Bar Journal column, “Lincoln, Immigrants, and the American Dream,” retired judge and Lincoln historian Ron Spears revisits Lincoln’s views on immigration, formed as the country, not yet 100 years old, continued to experience wave after wave of population growth due to people from all over the world seeking a better life here. And just as heated discussions about immigration take place today, Lincoln and others sparred with those who held various opposing views, including nativists like the self-described Know Nothings.

Read the February Illinois Bar Journal’s article, “Lincoln, Immigrants, and the American Dream”