Historical Context of Hamilton’s Views on Immigration
Alexander Hamilton, born in the Caribbean (Nevis) in 1755 or 1757 and arriving in the American colonies as a teenager in 1772, is often celebrated as an immigrant success story in Lin-Manuel Miranda’s musical Hamilton. Early in his career, Hamilton did advocate for policies that encouraged immigration. For instance, in his 1791 Report on Manufactures as Secretary of the Treasury, he proposed actively recruiting skilled workers, artists, and manufacturers from abroad to bolster the young nation’s industrial growth and population, viewing immigrants as economic assets who could “get the job done.” 2 5
However, Hamilton’s stance shifted dramatically in the late 1790s amid escalating political tensions. As a leading Federalist, he grew alarmed by the French Revolution’s radicalism, the Quasi-War with France (1798–1800), and fears that pro-French immigrants—particularly those aligned with Jefferson’s Democratic-Republicans—posed a security threat. He supported the Alien and Sedition Acts of 1798, which lengthened naturalization requirements from 5 to 14 years, authorized the deportation of “dangerous” non-citizens, and cracked down on critics of the government. Hamilton not only backed these measures but later complained they weren’t enforced stringently enough, even calling for the expulsion of foreign-born anti-Federalist editors he deemed hostile. 2 4 7
This evolution peaked in 1802, after Jefferson’s election, when Hamilton penned a series of essays titled The Examination. In Number VIII, he argued vehemently against unrestricted immigration, warning that it would import “the manners and maxims of Europe” and erode America’s republican character by flooding the country with unassimilated foreigners lacking a “temperate love of liberty.” He advocated for naturalization periods of 14 years or more to ensure loyalty, reflecting nativist concerns about cultural dilution and political subversion. 0 8 9
In essence, Hamilton’s opposition wasn’t blanket anti-immigration but targeted: he favored selective entry for “desirable” Europeans while fearing unchecked influxes from revolutionary France would undermine Federalist power and national stability. 3 6
The Musical’s Portrayal and the Rewrite
In Hamilton, the character is reimagined as a lifelong champion of immigrants, most iconically in the song “Yorktown (The World Turned Upside Down),” where he and Lafayette declare, “Immigrants: we get the job done!” This line, drawn loosely from his early pro-labor views, positions him as a symbol of the American Dream for newcomers—a direct counterpoint to contemporary debates on immigration and exclusion. 1 5
The writers, led by Miranda, deliberately omitted or reframed Hamilton’s later anti-immigration writings. Miranda has described the show as “a story about America then, told by America now,” using diverse casting and modern hip-hop to highlight themes of inclusion, ambition, and multiculturalism that resonate with 21st-century audiences. 6 This choice sidesteps the historical Hamilton’s “deeply nationalistic and elitist” turn toward nativism, as noted by historians like Phillip W. Magness, who argue it creates a “mythology” that glosses over his support for restrictive policies. 1 4
Why the Rewrite? Artistic and Thematic Intent
The primary reason for this rewrite appears to be thematic and political resonance. Miranda crafted Hamilton to celebrate the immigrant roots of the Founding Fathers (many of whom, like Hamilton, were born abroad in British territories) as a progressive narrative against modern xenophobia. 5 Including Hamilton’s full views would complicate the show’s core message of optimism and diversity—especially the idea that outsiders build nations—turning a feel-good anthem into a critique of hypocrisy. As Miranda noted in interviews, the musical prioritizes emotional truth over exhaustive biography, using Hamilton’s story to affirm that “many people who contribute to the prosperity of this nation aren’t born here.” 6
Critics like Magness contend this sanitizes history for ideological purposes, aligning with liberal immigration advocacy (e.g., the cast’s 2016 post-show address to Mike Pence on inclusion). 0 1 Yet, from a dramatic standpoint, the rewrite heightens the tragedy of Hamilton’s downfall and underscores the musical’s meta-commentary on who gets to tell America’s story: a diverse “America now” reclaiming its past for empowerment. 6
In short, the rewrite transforms a complex, contradictory figure into an unalloyed icon of inclusion, prioritizing inspirational storytelling over historical nuance to engage modern viewers on issues like belonging and opportunity.