User:Invasive Spices/Noble immigration to the United States

Among the many immigrants who arrive in the United States are some who bear hereditary titles. Immigration of titled persons has drawn tremendous controversy at times because it conflicts with the revolutionary spirit of the United States.

Opposition has several legal bases. The immigration law of 1795 prohibits aristocratic, titled immigration. After its passage there was widespread recognition that immigration by members of this class did continue, and that although this law was thought to make such immigration benign, in fact the resumption of title was possible. This had been an oversight of the legislature it may be resumed by the immigrant or any descendants. Recognition of these circumstances led to attempts to pass the Titles of Nobility Amendment. Besides these bases, the tenor of the society has been cited. The generally antinobility tenor of the country is cited for judicial decisions restricting immigrant aristocratic traditions.

History
Already during the time of colonization the proportion of upper class settlers was very low. Those few who did arrive with an ennobled history found the majority indifferent and unimpressed, in contrast to the prestigious regard they enjoyed before they came. In Virginia specifically the real mass of aristocratic immigrants were the younger sons of their families who would not inherit anything at home, and so immigrated to build a new life in the colony. In Maryland the immigrant gentry were all English Catholics, including two Jesuits of noble background.

After the revolution, some who had arrived from the Anglican upper class were suddenly American citizens. The revolutionary government drove them out as unwanted, suspiciously foreign, and possibly treasonous. Many of them departed for the north. They were welcomed into Canada by British Colonial authorities both for their loyalty during the war, and for their expected loyalty in a land which had been receiving a worryingly large amount of French immigration.

The Naturalization Bill of 1795 prohibits any titled person from gaining American citizenship. Then in 1810 the Titles of Nobility Amendment was specifically proposed to prevent or discourage the immigration of the Bonapartes to Maryland. The incorporation of holders of titles of the British Imperial and French Imperial systems into American society is the more generally intended target of both provisions, which would otherwise be as acceptable as the large volume of common British- and French- immigration. But as passed, the Act discourages titled immigration as a whole, no matter the country or system and the Amendment would more strongly do the same, if ratified.

Later, at the end of the century some men of the peerage of the United Kingdom immigrated to New York City. Although expected to merge into the city's pre-existing unofficial upper class, they and their descendants became ordinary citizens in actual practice as the US's formula for elitism changed.

Well known immigrants
The British Army stationed Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex in Southern California for training with US helicopter forces. Later, he and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex purchased and moved to the Chateau of Riven Rock in Montecito, also in Southern California in 2020.

Several members of Saudi royalty have been heavily associated with the US beyond governmental or diplomatic duties, including large real estate purchases and long-term residence. Prince Bandar bin Sultan Al Saud was Ambassador from 1983 to 2005 and during that time was more influential with the country's Administrations than most Ambassadors are, and continued to shape American foreign policy such that his successor resigned after only 18 months. He is also a well known Dallas Cowboys fan, buying a seat next to the owner, his friend Jerry Jones. Bandar normally attends every home game and his absence from one was scandalous.

Diane von Furstenberg immigrated from France in her 20s and permanently settled in an estate in Connecticut called Cloudwalk.