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Know Nothing Party
Middle class protestanst, nativists were dismayed not only at the total number of new immagrants but also the number of catholics among them. To nativists the catholic immagrants that had flooded into the country during the 1830s and 1840s were overly influenced by the Pope. -
The West Indies & Mexico
Jamaica, Cuba, and Puerto Rico left because jobs were scarce and America seemed to promise work for everyone. Mexicans immigrated to flee political turmoil and to find work. -
Chinese Exclusion Act
This act banned entry to all chinese except students, teachers, merchants, tourists, and government officials. -
Ellis Island
Ellis Island is located in New York harbor. 20% of the immigrants at Ellis Island were detained for a day or more before being inspected. Process could take up to 5 hours. -
The Gentlemen's Agreement
1907-1908, Japan's government agreed to limit immigration of unskilled workers to the U.S. in exchange for the repeal of the San Fran segragation order. -
Europeans
Millions of people arrived from Italy, Austria Hungary, and Russia left to escape religous persecution. -
Angel Island
Between 1910 and 1940, about 50,000 Chinese immigrants entered the U.S. through Angel Island. Imigrants endured harsh questioning and a long detention filthy ramshackle buildings while they waited to be admitted or rejected. -
Quota System
The quota system established a maximum number of people who could enter a foreign country. -
KKK (Ku Klux Klan)
The KKK were devoted to 100% Americanism. They believed in keeping blacks, Roman Catholics, jews, and foreign-born people out of the country. They used racial violence. -
Alien Registration Act
The Alien Registration Act was passed by congress on June 29th 1940, made it illegal for anyone in the United States to teach the desirability of overthrowing the government. The law also required all alien residents in the United States over 14 years of age to file a comprehensive statement of their personal and occupational status and a record of their political beliefs. Within four months a total of 4,741,971 aliens had been registered. -
McCarran-Walter Act
This created a preference system for immigrants. It gave the priority to those with family members already in America and to those with specific skill, such as scientists. -
Immigration and Reform Control Act
This made it illegal to hire an illegal immigrant in the United States. -
Propostion 187
It cut all education and non emergency health benefits to illegal immigrants. By March 1998, Proposition of 187 was ruled unconstitutional.
