Immigration: Don't minimize the Irish

Re: “When Irish immigrants invaded Canada,” (TNT, 3/18).

Timothy Egan’s column decrying Irish immigrants during the mid 19th centuries leaves out some useful information.

The Irish did not bypass immigration laws, as there weren’t many regarding Europeans. Immigrants were welcomed to help build the Erie Canal and other super structures and after two years could gain citizenship.

Secondly, the Irish also helped us win the Revolutionary and Civil wars.

This story was originally published March 22, 2017 at 4:40 PM with the headline "Immigration: Don't minimize the Irish."