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Largely Open Borders
Initially, there were no federal restrictions on immigration. The U.S. was largely open to European immigrants, many of whom were seeking economic opportunities or fleeing political turmoil. -
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Beginnings of Restriction
Page Act of 1875: Often considered the first restrictive federal immigration law, it targeted Asian forced laborers, prostitutes, and convicts.- Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882: This significant law suspended Chinese labor immigration for ten years and marked the first time the U.S. explicitly banned a group based on ethnicity
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Increasing Restrictions
- General Immigration Act of 1882: This law imposed a head tax on immigrants and barred entry to those likely to become a public charge, convicts, and people with mental illness.
- Immigration Act of 1891: Established a federal office of immigration and added more categories for exclusion, including people with contagious diseases and polygamists
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Quota Systems
Emergency Quota Act of 1921: Marked the introduction of numerical limits on immigration and established quotas based on national origins.- Immigration Act of 1924 (Johnson-Reed Act): Further tightened quotas, severely limiting immigration from Southern and Eastern Europe, and practically barred Asian immigration
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Heightened Restrictions
- 1903 and 1907 Acts: Expanded the list of undesirable immigrants, including anarchists and people with physical or mental disabilities.
- Literacy Requirement (1917): The Immigration Act of 1917 instituted a literacy requirement for immigrants over 16, requiring them to read 30-40 words in their native language.
- World War I Influence: During and after WWI, there was increased suspicion and restriction towards immigrants, especially from enemy countries.
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General Observations
- Economic and Political Influences: Economic downturns, labor needs, and political events significantly influenced immigration policies.
- Nativism and Xenophobia: Periods of increased nativism and xenophobia, especially during economic hardships and political turmoil, led to stricter immigration laws
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Shifting Demographics
The changing composition of immigrant populations, particularly the increase from Southern and Eastern Europe, influenced the tightening of immigration laws. Throughout this period, U.S. immigration policy transitioned from virtually open borders to a system of restrictions and quotas, reflecting the nation's evolving attitudes towards immigrants and the perceived needs of the country