Tegan I may have some insight to your puzzlement regarding the views of second generation immigrants. We have lovely neighbours who hailed from the Indian subcontinent in the 60s. India as we know, has a long standing, historical connection to this country. Our neighbours feel that whilst they cannot bring elderly relatives from India so they can look after them in their declining years, people from the European Union with no previous connection to this country, can come here without hindrance. Whatever the rights and wrongs, to our neighbours, this doesn't feel fair.
As some have observed, the immigration question is complex.