Immigration in America has always been controversial, even from its early days, and over the centuries it has taken many forms. In colonial America, indentured servants were, for the most part, willing adult white migrants who wanted to start a new life in the colonies and agreed to be bound to labor for a period of years. However, some poor people in England sometimes sold themselves into indenture just to survive. Others wanted more religious freedom. Four out of five who came were men who were accustomed to farming and labor back in England.

Treatment of the servants differed widely. Some were mistreated while others lived as members of  the family. Some did hard labor in the fields and others performed less difficult work on the farm or plantation. The servants were provided with basic necessities such as food, clothing and lodging during their term of Indenture, but they were not paid any wages. Unlike slaves, the Indentured servants from Europe could look forward to eventual release from bondage.

They were discouraged from marriage, but any children born while in bondage were free. There was no stigma attached to indentured servitude and their families merged easily with the general population.  After their service ended, it was commonly required to provide them with a gun, a set of clothes, and money or a small tract of land upon which to establish themselves.