"Big difference is many of those of us in the States are from Irish backgrounds, arrived here starving due to the British inspired famine in Ireland."

Well not according to Cecil Woodham-Smith's history "The Great Hunger", which is regarded by most acedemics as being the definitive history of the famine of 1847 to 1851. The bulk of emmigration at that time was to Canada as passage was free on UK registered vessels. Anyone wanting to travel directly to the US had to pay their passage, be in sound health and had to prove that they had at least £10 in cash or assets prior to boarding.

I would draw attention to the organisation known as the Commonwealth of Nations, the second largest international organisation after the United Nations. The Commonwealth of Nations is not listed as a terrorist organisation. Countries with no previous connection (historical or political) to the United Kingdom have applied to join Rwanda, Yemen and Cambodia.