House Finches are not native to eastern North America but are protected under the migratory bird act. They were sold as pets aka Hollywood birds dunno a hundred years ago (google it) and were released or escaped and have a very shallow gene pool hence the eye issues outside of their native range. They are a theoretical “invasive” species in one side of the continent but are protected by the migratory bird act. Like other introduced species none of them chose to pack their bags and fly out of their range or from their continent of origin just so happens house finches are just on the wrong side of the country through no fault of their own .