Ideas On Immigration And Immigration

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Based on your analysis of ideas about immigration and citizenship across time to what extent do you agree that 1924 was the end of “open borders” in American society, and why? Your answer should identify and analyze what you see as the most important trends in inclusion and exclusion from colonial beginnings to the early 20th century.
“Open borders” refers to a policy of unlimited physical and free immigration, meaning the uncontrolled access of anyone into a country such as the United States of America. Open borders allow people from different countries and nations to enter a country of fairness and equality without rejection based on prior economic status, health, or physical features. A country with “open borders” does not restrict or discriminate against immigrants however is inviting of them. That being said, 1924 was not the end of “open borders” in American Society. The Irish and Italians in the East Coast, Mexican/Tejanos in the South-West Borderlands, and the Chinese in the West Coast all underwent perpetual scrutiny prior to 1924. 1924 was the beginning of the era of criminalization and socially justified discrimination towards immigrants. The Johnson-Reed Immigration Act of 1924 was essential to solidifying the level of difficulty for immigrants to enter the United States of America.
During the 19th century the East Coast saw little restrictions and regulations on the entry of immigrants to the U.S. Opening in 1892, Ellis Island was the first Federal immigration station in the Unite States of America. Ellis Island was home to many European immigrants. People from Ireland, Italy, France, Germany, Russia, etc. all concentrated on Ellis Island with hopes and dreams of making it out. The U.S Bureau of Immigration overl...

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...dice that the Chinese encountered as immigrants in America. Although the Chinese resented the fact that they were being discriminated against, they continued to immigrate because they felt that their opportunities in the United States of America were still better than in China. Together they endured poor treatment because they knew they had nothing if they went back home to China. The Chinese resisted such horrible conditions by sticking together as a community and establishing their own businesses and towns such as Chinatown, in San Francisco. After studying the Chinese we can draw the conclusion that many Chinese made the journey to America in search for freedom and for a better life, but instead were detained and treated poorly. Together the Chinese community made their voice heard by challenging laws, starting their own businesses, and becoming self-sufficient.

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