Let’s face it. The long and contentious debate over immigration, that has gone on for decades in the United States, has boiled over.

With the city of Los Angeles having become what one writer described as the epicenter of the immigration battle, the scenes from L-A are hard to watch and for the whole world to see.

No matter what side one may be on, from the hard right to the far left on what to do about immigration, the battle over this political and emotional issue has probably never been more hardened than it is here in 2025.

Historians can tell you about past times, back to the 1800’s, when there were fights over the issue, as different groups of people. from the Irish, the Germans, the Italians, the Chinse and more recently the Mexicans, Central Americans and Middle Easterns came to the U.S.

And in each of these cases of immigrants, there have been some harsh politics and some harsh actions.

Millions of Americans living today trace their family trees to Ellis Island, not far from the State of Liberty with words learned in school.

"Give me your tired, your poor, Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free.”

Those words, though, about America can mean different things to different people. It would be nice to think that one day all Americans could agree.

But unfortunately, history tells us it may be impossible.

(Photo Getty Images)

Cliff Notes on the News

Cliff Notes On The News