Just and Holy Principles

The Founders:

Thomas Paine: This new world hath been the asylum for the persecuted lovers of civil and religious liberty from every part of Europe. Hither have they fled, not from the tender embraces of the mother, but from the cruelty of the monster; and it is so far true of England, that the same tyranny which drove the first emigrants from home, pursues their descendants still. (Paine, Thomas Common Sense, 1776)

Benjamin Franklin: Strangers are welcome because there is room enough for them all, and therefore the old Inhabitants are not jealous of them; the Laws protect them sufficiently so that they have no need of the Patronage of great Men; and every one will enjoy securely the Profits of his Industry. But if he does not bring a Fortune with him, he must work and be industrious to live. (Franklin, Benjamin Those Who Would Remove to America, February 1784)

George Washington: [L]et the poor the needy and oppressed of the Earth, and those who want Land, resort to the fertile plains of our western country, the second land of Promise, and there dwell in peace, fulfilling the first and great commandment. (Washington, George letter to David Humphreys, July 25, 1785)

George Washington: [T]he policy or advantage of [immigration] taking place in a body (I mean the settling of them in a body) may be much questioned; for, by so doing, they retain the Language, habits and principles (good or bad) which they bring with them. Whereas by an intermixture with our people, they, or their descendants, get assimilated to our customs, measures and laws: in a word, soon become one people. (Washington, George letter to John Adams, November 15, 1794)

Thomas Jefferson: Born in other countries, yet believing you could be happy in this, our laws acknowledge, as they should do, your right to join us in society, conforming, as I doubt not you will do, to our established rules. That these rules shall be as equal as prudential considerations will admit, will certainly be the aim of our legislatures, general and particular. (Jefferson, Thomas letter to Hugh White, May 2, 1801)

The Brethren:

Marlin K. Jensen: Immigration questions are questions dealing with God's children...I believe a more thoughtful and factual, not to mention humane approach is warranted, and urge those responsible for enactment of Utah's immigration policy to measure twice before they cut. (Jensen, Marlin K. Interfaith Dailogue on Immigration at Westminster College, Feb. 13, 2008)

References:

→  LDS Church urges more compassion for immigrants