Immigration Policy

American Immigration Policy

Immigration has held a major role in shaping our

country. Immigrants have provided many things such

as customs, manufacturing, inventions, and

entertainment. Many people today don't realize how

greatly we have been affected by immigration. A

survey was given to ten people. The survey contained

a list of people who were all immigrants. When asked

how many actually were, only one person got the

question right.

Old Immigration occurred between 1840-1890.

Immigrants during this time period came from

countries such as Ireland, Germany, and Scandinavian

countries (Norway, Denmark, Sweden, and Finland).

Next came the period of New Immigration. These

newcomers came from Italy, Russia, Poland, Lithuania,

Greece, Austria, etc., most of whom were peasants

who couldn't speak English. The people who migrated

during the period of Old Immigration disliked these

aliens because it meant lower wages for themselves

and the new immigrants had greater advantages

including poor and political machines. These people

also were not willing to adapt to American ways of

life, created their own little towns that resemble their

homeland. They were treated as outcasts. New

Immigration ended with World War I when the

immigrant boats were being sunk. Immigration is still

continuing today. Current Immigration includes

people from Latin America, the Philippines, and Asia.

Laws regarding immigration are constantly changing

to fit the needs of society. In 1854, the Know-Nothing

Party declared the need for strict limits on

Immigration. Members of this party felt it was

necessary that immigrants must be residents of the

United States for 21 years before being granted

citizenship. The campaign ended in 1860 during the

time of the Civil War due to the demand of

immigrants needed to enlist in the Union Army. Ten

years later, the Naturalization Act is passed. This states

that only "white persons and persons of African

descent, " are able to become citizens. This excludes

all Asians. This trend continues for several decades. In

1921, Congress decides to pass immigration

restrictions, first establishing a quota of 350,000

immigrants. The quota is increased as times change. In

1995, it was passed that the total number of legal

immigrants allowed to enter the United States be

limited to 650, 000 a year. Immigrants were given

visas, which allowed them to come to this country.

Visas were distributed for family and

employment-based immigrants, and persons from

"adversely affected" countries. Strict regulations have

also been made due to the large amount of people

entering the country illegally.

The nation is on the right track.