Immigration to the United States - Michael A. Signal

Overview of Immigration to the United States

• Immigration refers to the movement of people from one country to another for the purpose of settling there; those who migrate are called immigrants.
• Reasons for immigration include seeking better job opportunities, reuniting with family, escaping war, violence, famine, and poverty.

Immigrant Statistics and Historical Context

• The United States hosts the largest population of international immigrants globally; nearly one-fifth of the world's immigrants reside there.
• Native Americans are the indigenous population and are not classified as immigrants; they are the original inhabitants of North America.
• Early European settlers and enslaved Africans are also not considered immigrants due to their circumstances of arrival.

Waves of Immigration

• Significant immigration waves typically involve large groups moving during specific historical periods.
• The Irish were among the first large immigrant groups due to the Great Famine in the 1840s, with over 4 million Irish arriving between 1820 and 1930.
• In the mid-19th century, Chinese immigrants sought opportunities in the U.S., especially following the Gold Rush of 1848, resulting in approximately 150,000 Chinese immigrants.

Negative Tensions and Legislation

• Growing immigration has often led to tensions and societal fears, particularly regarding job competition.
• Anti-Chinese sentiment in the 19th century resulted in the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1862, which effectively barred Chinese immigrants from entering the U.S. and gaining citizenship.
• After World War I, the Immigration Act of 1924 imposed quotas, limiting entry based on country of origin, favoring immigrants from Britain, Ireland, and Scandinavia while restricting others from Eastern Europe, Mexico, and Japan.

Discrimination in Immigration Laws

• Immigration laws have historically reflected discriminatory practices against specific groups, balancing between control and unfair treatment of immigrants.