White U.S. citizens once flooded into Indian Territory, prompting calls for mass deportations

An invasion of white settlers into lands formerly designated as Indian Territory is commemorated at the Oklahoma Land Run monument in Oklahoma City. (Russell Cobb), CC BY

The scene at the end of the 19th century in what was known as Indian Territory — at one point encompassing most of the present-day United States west of the Mississippi River — would seem familiar to anyone following the news about the crisis on the U.S.-Mexico border.

Illegal immigrants streamed in, and some leaders had seen enough.