Fact check: What are the details of Donald Trump's grandfather's immigration to America?

1. Summary of the results

Friedrich Trump's immigration to America is well-documented across multiple sources. He arrived in the United States on October 19, 1885, at the age of 16, traveling aboard the steamship Eider from Bremen, Germany to the Castle Garden Immigrant Landing Depot in New York City ^[1]. His immigration was technically illegal under Bavarian law as he had not completed his mandatory military service ^{[1] [2]}. Upon arrival, he moved in with his sister Katharina (also called Katherine), who had immigrated a year earlier ^{[1] [3]}.

2. Missing context/alternative viewpoints

Several important contextual elements are missing from the original question:

• Broader Immigration Wave: Friedrich Trump was part of a massive German emigration wave in the 1880s and early 1890s, during which approximately 1.8 million Germans left their homeland. He joined roughly 200,000 Germans already settled in New York, who had formed a "Little Germany" community ^[4].
• Family Background: Trump's immigration was facilitated through "chain migration" - a process where established immigrants sponsor family members ^[2]. This was a common and crucial aspect of immigrant experiences in America at the time ^[3].
• Career Development: After arriving in America, Friedrich initially worked as a barber before becoming involved in various business ventures, including restaurants and real estate during the Klondike Gold Rush era ^{[1] [4]}.

3. Potential misinformation/bias in the original statement

The original question's simplicity could lead to overlooking several crucial aspects:

• Legal Status: While Trump's entry into America was legal, his departure from Bavaria was technically illegal due to military service evasion ^{[2] [1]}. This adds complexity to the immigration narrative.
• Historical Context: The immigration occurred during a period of economic hardship and regional instability in Germany ^[3], providing important context for understanding the motivations behind his departure.
• Personal Perspective: Friedrich Trump's own letter describes his humble beginnings and successful life-building in America ^[5], offering a first-hand account that adds depth to the historical record.

This history is particularly relevant given contemporary debates about immigration policies, chain migration, and the role of family-based immigration in American society.