Immigrant College Essay Example

economic issues, leading to a notable cultural divide. The primary cause of this tension was the belief that immigrants were taking away job opportunities. In the early 1800s, the American government encouraged domestic manufacturing by having relaxed immigration policies, enabling American factories to employ inexpensive immigrant labor (Carnes 577). Immigrants, who sought improved living conditions, were willing to accept lower wages in contrast to native American citizens.

The formation of the Nation People’s Party (543) was a response to the growing anti-immigrant sentiment. In their Expression of Sentiment in 1892, the Nation People’s Party criticized the current system for allowing immigrants from impoverished and criminal backgrounds to enter the country and displace American workers (Doc C). The American working class, whose wages depended on their employment, were particularly inclined towards nativist beliefs.

The white-American working class and the African American community both experienced economic challenges due to the presence of low-cost immigrant labor. Booker T. Washington, an influential African American leader, encouraged African Americans to pursue the jobs that these immigrants were taking. He believed that African Americans had already shown their loyalty to the white community and would continue to support them with unwavering dedication, something he thought no foreigner could match (Doc D). Both the white and black working class held resentment towards the influx of ambitious and low-wage immigrants who they felt were flooding the job market with unfair competition, resulting in a scarcity of employment opportunities for both groups.

The concern among working-class Americans in America about immigrants taking jobs can be supported by the historical experiences of immigrants in the country. One example is the Irish community,

which faced hostility from nativists for many years but eventually achieved social advancement and played a prominent role in cities like Boston (Carnes 492). In an article for the Century Magazine, Edward A. Ross highlighted that Irish exiles and immigrants were even found holding positions of authority at City Hall in New England's metropolis (Doc F). The resentment towards immigrants in America was largely driven by anxiety about their success not only in employment but also in other areas of life.

During this time period, social prejudices were widespread. Madison Grant's book, The Passing of the Great Race, demonstrated this with a statement emphasizing the unity and superiority of blue-eyed, fair-haired individuals from northern Europe who had migrated to America (Doc G). The resurgence of white supremacy was apparent during this era through the reestablishment of the Ku Klux Klan. This organization not only targeted African American and Catholic communities but also attacked Eastern European neighborhoods in an effort to deter their immigration to America (Carnes 639).

The arrival of Jewish immigrants from Eastern Europe after World War I led to a rise in Anti-Semitism in America (Carnes 641). Despite initially being open to all immigrants, regardless of public opposition, the federal government eventually succumbed to social pressures and the influence of the Populist Party and labor unions. Consequently, the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882 became the first law passed to ban immigration based on race (Carnes 436). This act triggered a series of anti-immigrant laws that severely limited entry into the United States.

In the passage, various immigration acts and agreements are discussed. These include the Immigration Act of 1917, the

Basic Naturalization Act, and the "Gentlemen's Agreement." The Immigration Act of 1917 enforced literacy tests for immigrants and banned those born in the Asiatic Barred Zone from entering the country. The Basic Naturalization Act established the Immigration and Naturalization Service. The "Gentlemen's Agreement" was an understanding between the United States and Japan to discourage Japanese emigration to America, as explained in a report by the Commissioner General of Immigration.

The federal government enacted laws to protect American jobs and express their disapproval of Asian laborers in American society. Likewise, after WWI, the government implemented measures against Europeans, such as a quota system that greatly restricted immigration from certain countries (Carnes 640).

The Uncle Sam cartoon in The Literary Digest depicts Uncle Sam supervising a funnel, which represents the quotas system of the United States. This system aimed to decrease the large influx of European immigrants desiring to enter the country. The American public strongly embraced isolationism during this time period due to the tragic events of World War I.

From 1880 to 1925, isolationism in America led to nativism, resulting in tensions between American workers and migrant labor, as well as the implementation of nativist legislation. This weakened the "Land of Opportunity" image of America due to growing anti-immigrant sentiment and the passage of nativist laws. The pursuit of the American Dream, which involves coming to America and achieving prosperity, has never been easy for any group. However, during this time frame, both the American people and the federal government actively discouraged immigrants from pursuing this dream in order to protect their own interests.