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German/Irish immigration
The Irish were the first Catholics to arrive in a Protestant nation. -
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English/Western immigration
While the US expanded, many European countries had lost color-- many were unable to make a living due to the implications of the Industrial Revolution and a blight that led to damage to potato crops. -
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Asian Immigration
The Chinese came to the US, recruited for the construction of the transcontinental railroad. The Japanese also came because the government allowed them to emigrate-- the surge of Asian immigrants led to "yellow peril" and lobbying for restriction of Asian immigrants. -
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South/East European Immigration
While the majority of immigrants during this period were South and East Europeans, their usage of different languages and cultures led to the rise of anti-immigration forces in Congress. -
Chinese Exclusion Act
prohibition of Chinese workers from entering the US -
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Vetoes of immigration restriction
Due to the opposition of business leaders, legislation for the requirement of literary tests for immigrants was vetoed by presidents Cleveland through Wilson. -
Gentlemen's Agreement
Roosevelt's persuasion to Japan to return to restrictions on emigration -
Literacy Requirement for Immigrants
Congress overruled Wilson's veto to make literacy an entrance requirement. -
National Origins Act
Law that accepted immigrations on the basis of their national origin; limited annual immigration of each European nationality to 2% in the US population (quota system) -
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American Immigration Policy under the 1924 Acts
During this period, immigration was the lowest since the mid-1800s. The 1924 Nation Origins Act, the Great Depression, and WWII reduced immigration greatly, to the point where the emigration numbers were higher than immigration. -
Displaced Persons Act
Act that allowed the admission of refugees from WWII and the imposition of Soviet Communism -
Immigration and Nationality Act
Act that replaced the old quotas where priority was on reuniting families and admitting skilled professionals. This made way for greater immigration from Asia. -
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Boost of Immigrants in 1970s
Immigrants began to join in the largest numbers, despite legal controls being tighter than before. Many began to join as refugees or in illegal ways. -
Refugee Act
Act that gave refugee policy greater consistency, allowing for the regular flow of refugees and emergency admissions -
Immigration Reform and Control Act
act that imposed penalties on employers who hired illegal workers (criminalize employees), as well as enabled illegal citizens that lived in the US since 1981 to become citizens (amnesty program) -
Immigration Act
raised limit on annual admissions from 290,000 to 675,000 -
Illegal Immigration Reform and Responsibility Act
curbing of illegal immigration, streamlined procedures for deporting illegal citizens and rejecting asylum chains