Immigration in the 1920s and Beyond Laws and Regulations

Reasons for Restrictions Continued resentment of immigrants who take jobs of “Americans” Post war unemployment Red Scare – Fear of Communists

Quotas 1921: Emergency Quota Act established –Numerical Limits –Quotas *** Why was this a turning point in American immigration policy? Set at 3% of population of residents from each country in 1910 Total immigration dropped from about 800,000 to 300,000 No limits on immigrants from Latin America

Immigration Act of 1924 Changed Quota to 2% based on 1890 immigrant population. *** Why do you think they changed the year to 1890? Non-White people were not eligible to immigrate or become citizens. –Japan, China, the Philippines (then under U.S. control), Siam (Thailand), French Indochina (Laos, Vietnam, and Cambodia), Singapore (then a British colony), Korea, Dutch East Indies (Indonesia), Burma (Myanmar), India, Ceylon (Sri Lanka) and Malaysia

Changing Proportions of European Immigrants

Repatriation 1924 Act did not limit immigration from the Americans (Mexico, Central America, South America, Canada) : coerced repatriation and deportation of between 500,000 and 2 million Mexican immigrants and Mexican Americans. Many were citizens, no due process

Immigration from Asia Chinese Exclusion Repeal Act of 1943 –Ended Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882 Luce-Celler Act of 1946 –Opened up immigration from the Philippines and India

Immigration and Nationality Act of 1965 Abolished quota system, annual limit of 300,000 visas issued. Opened up to immigrants from non- western countries Today: 1) Reunite Families 2) Fill Labor Shortages 3) Asylum 4) Promote Diversity