The Immigration Issue
Even for their assimilation and skills in the workforce the majority of Americans did not appreciate their presence fully. Feeling muddied by all the immigration, legislators spoke for immigration reform. In 1894 the Immigration Restriction League was formed with the sole intent to limit the immigration of “lesser people” into the U.S. After years of buildup and much talk the Immigration Act was passed in 1917 to limit the number of immigrants allowed into America from Asia. With that success they passed the Immigration Act of 1921 which reduced the allowed limit of each nationality to 3% their 1910 census population. This was an unjust act that favored those already settled and prolific in the U.S. such as the English and not the newer immigrant populations like the Polish, Russian, and Italian. It was a successful attempt to limit the “undesirables” from entering the U.S. A U.S. Senator gave a speech on it with his views of the ideal American and immigration,
“Without offense, but with regard to the salvation of our own, let us shut the door and assimilate what we have, and let us breed pure American citizens and develop our own American resources. I am more in favor of that than I am of our quota proposition. Of course, it may not meet the approbation of the Senate that we shall shut the door—which I unqualifiedly and unreservedly believe to be our duty—and develop what we have, assimilate and digest what we have into pure Americans, with American aspirations, and thoroughly familiar with the love of American institutions, rather than the importation of any number of men from other countries. If we may not have that, then I am in favor of putting the quota down to the lowest possible point, with every selective element in it that may be.”
-Senator Ellison DuRant Smith of South Carolina
This reflects the views of not all, but many Americans when it came to immigrants. After 1921 the immigration drops off dramatically with the introduction of the 3% quota. That effectively ended the influx of the incoming Jews and isolated those already settled slightly more. The Jews stayed strong though and have had a large impact on American society ever since the first wave of immigrants reached our shores.
-Senator Ellison DuRant Smith of South Carolina
This reflects the views of not all, but many Americans when it came to immigrants. After 1921 the immigration drops off dramatically with the introduction of the 3% quota. That effectively ended the influx of the incoming Jews and isolated those already settled slightly more. The Jews stayed strong though and have had a large impact on American society ever since the first wave of immigrants reached our shores.