There are two differences between now and 1890 that are material to the conversation. One is that global travel is much less expensive and much faster.

The other is that the difference in standard of living is much wider now. Consider between the best place to be (arguably here in Florida) and the worst place where the average person can still afford a ticket to the best place (for example, a one way ticket to Florida is probably affordable for the average Guatemalan). It wasn't that wide of a dichotomy in 1890.

These are the main reasons why we need limits on immigration. Only certain people get to come legally. It can't be a free for all like it was in 1890.

However, the number of people we can absorb, is probably higher than the number of people we are currently absorbing. We just have to vet them, make sure they all come legally.

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