text: Between the 1840s and the 1860s  the "Know-Nothing" movement (the Native American Party or the American Party)  tried to convince the American public that Catholics were trying to take over the country.  Catholics were going to put the Pope in power and institute strict laws in compliance with Church doctrine.  There was a secondary belief the the immigrants were being brought to the country to take the jobs held by Americans. Of course most of those holding the jobs were first and second generations immigrants themselves.   
  I believe there is a great parallel to today and the Know-Nothing movement. Facts give way to miss-beliefs and fear overruns common sense. While there are strong reasons to deal with illegal immigrants there is an ongoing amount of individuals who see every legal immigrant as a three to the country in some form.