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Questions and Answers
What are the eligibility criteria to apply for naturalization in the U.S.?
What are the eligibility criteria to apply for naturalization in the U.S.?
Which factor contributed to the complexity of the immigration debate after September 11, 2001?
Which factor contributed to the complexity of the immigration debate after September 11, 2001?
What economic event led to increased scrutiny of immigrants and their use of social services?
What economic event led to increased scrutiny of immigrants and their use of social services?
Which group is specifically mentioned as needing consideration for obtaining a green card?
Which group is specifically mentioned as needing consideration for obtaining a green card?
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What ongoing issue complicates immigration reform discussions among U.S. lawmakers?
What ongoing issue complicates immigration reform discussions among U.S. lawmakers?
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What type of work did many immigrants start with upon arriving in the United States?
What type of work did many immigrants start with upon arriving in the United States?
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Which countries produced the majority of immigrants to the United States between 1820 and 1880?
Which countries produced the majority of immigrants to the United States between 1820 and 1880?
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What was a main contributing factor to the recruitment of workers from Europe by railroad companies?
What was a main contributing factor to the recruitment of workers from Europe by railroad companies?
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What kind of discrimination did immigrants often face in the United States?
What kind of discrimination did immigrants often face in the United States?
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What was one characteristic of the Irish immigrants who arrived in large numbers in the 19th century?
What was one characteristic of the Irish immigrants who arrived in large numbers in the 19th century?
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What societal concern did U.S. citizens have regarding the influx of immigrants?
What societal concern did U.S. citizens have regarding the influx of immigrants?
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How did U.S railroads and steamship companies attract workers from Europe?
How did U.S railroads and steamship companies attract workers from Europe?
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What did the sentiments expressed by New York Mayor Philip Hone reflect about the perception of new immigrants?
What did the sentiments expressed by New York Mayor Philip Hone reflect about the perception of new immigrants?
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What was Thomas Jefferson's concern regarding European immigrants?
What was Thomas Jefferson's concern regarding European immigrants?
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What is the primary focus of the debate surrounding U.S. immigration policy?
What is the primary focus of the debate surrounding U.S. immigration policy?
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Which political group emerged in the 1840s as a reaction to immigration?
Which political group emerged in the 1840s as a reaction to immigration?
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What does a green card provide to immigrants in the United States?
What does a green card provide to immigrants in the United States?
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Which immigrant groups were primarily targeted by the Know-Nothing Party?
Which immigrant groups were primarily targeted by the Know-Nothing Party?
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During what period did most immigrants arrive from southern and eastern Europe?
During what period did most immigrants arrive from southern and eastern Europe?
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How long can temporary employees typically stay in the United States on a work visa?
How long can temporary employees typically stay in the United States on a work visa?
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What was a significant effect of the Know-Nothing Party's actions?
What was a significant effect of the Know-Nothing Party's actions?
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What is a significant challenge faced by the immigration system in the United States?
What is a significant challenge faced by the immigration system in the United States?
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Which group is NOT mentioned as being addressed by U.S. immigration laws?
Which group is NOT mentioned as being addressed by U.S. immigration laws?
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What was revealed by the 1890 census regarding American settlement?
What was revealed by the 1890 census regarding American settlement?
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What was a common belief of the Know-Nothings regarding the religious background of immigrants?
What was a common belief of the Know-Nothings regarding the religious background of immigrants?
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What has contributed to the decrease in the backlog of visa applications?
What has contributed to the decrease in the backlog of visa applications?
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How did the cultural backgrounds of new immigrants from Eastern and Southern Europe differ from earlier immigrants?
How did the cultural backgrounds of new immigrants from Eastern and Southern Europe differ from earlier immigrants?
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What is a common consequence for those applying for immigration without using legal channels?
What is a common consequence for those applying for immigration without using legal channels?
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How many types of visas does the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services issue each year?
How many types of visas does the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services issue each year?
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What was the primary purpose of the amnesty program for undocumented immigrants?
What was the primary purpose of the amnesty program for undocumented immigrants?
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How did the Immigration Act of 1990 change the annual limit on immigrant admissions?
How did the Immigration Act of 1990 change the annual limit on immigrant admissions?
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What was a major consequence of the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996?
What was a major consequence of the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996?
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What was the primary focus shift of the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996 during its passage?
What was the primary focus shift of the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996 during its passage?
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What was the main objective of the Real ID Act of 2005?
What was the main objective of the Real ID Act of 2005?
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Which of the following statements about the implementation of the Real ID Act is true?
Which of the following statements about the implementation of the Real ID Act is true?
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Which principle remained central to U.S. immigration policy as established by the 1990 Act?
Which principle remained central to U.S. immigration policy as established by the 1990 Act?
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Which act was influenced by the recommendations of the 9/11 Commission?
Which act was influenced by the recommendations of the 9/11 Commission?
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Congress passed the Chinese Exclusion Act in ______, which prohibited more Chinese workers from entering the United States.
Congress passed the Chinese Exclusion Act in ______, which prohibited more Chinese workers from entering the United States.
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The Immigration Act of 1924, also known as the ______ Act, established quotas for immigrants based on national origin.
The Immigration Act of 1924, also known as the ______ Act, established quotas for immigrants based on national origin.
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Frederick Douglass asserted that among human rights is the right of ______, which belongs to all races.
Frederick Douglass asserted that among human rights is the right of ______, which belongs to all races.
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Anti-Chinese sentiment in the U.S. was particularly strong during the nationalistic spirit of ______.
Anti-Chinese sentiment in the U.S. was particularly strong during the nationalistic spirit of ______.
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Laws led to a complete suspension of Chinese immigration and prohibited those already in the country from sending for their ______.
Laws led to a complete suspension of Chinese immigration and prohibited those already in the country from sending for their ______.
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Study Notes
Immigration to the United States
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Turn of the Century Immigration:
- Railroad and steamship companies promoted immigration to the US, appealing to European workers.
- Immigrants primarily worked as agricultural laborers, servants, and factory workers.
- Prior to 1880, 70% of immigrants came from Great Britain, Germany, and Ireland.
- Irish immigrants were the first Roman Catholics to arrive in large numbers.
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Opposition to Immigration:
- The Know-Nothing Party emerged in the 1840s, opposing Irish and German Catholic immigration, believing it would corrupt US Protestant heritage.
- Anti-immigrant sentiment persisted even after the Know-Nothing Party's decline, rooted in concerns about social and political implications of large-scale immigration.
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Immigrant Waves:
- The 1890s saw a shift in immigration as the frontier was filled and industrial cities in the Northeast and Great Lakes needed cheap labor.
- Between 1881-1920, immigrants primarily originated from Southern and Eastern Europe, including Austria-Hungary, Italy, and Russia.
- These immigrants had distinct languages, cultures, and religions compared to previous waves.
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US Immigration Laws:
- The Immigration and Nationality Act of 1965 abolished national origin quotas, leading to increased immigration from Asia, Africa, and Latin America.
- The Immigration Act of 1990 increased the annual immigration limit and prioritized family reunification.
- The Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996 streamlined deportation procedures and reduced asylum claims.
- The Real ID Act of 2005 aimed to enhance national security by requiring stricter standards for issuing driver's licenses and state-issued identification cards.
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Current Immigration Debate:
- The immigration debate has intensified due to rising numbers of newcomers and concerns about economic and social impacts.
- After September 11, 2001, national security became a crucial aspect of the debate.
- The economic recession of 2007 led to further scrutiny of immigrants' use of social services and their role in the workforce.
- Despite ongoing discussion, passing comprehensive immigration reform remains a challenge due to differing opinions on how to address complex issues.
Immigration Visas and Pathways
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Temporary Visas:
- Issued for temporary work, education, or travel within the United States.
- Student visas allow for the duration of a program, while temporary employees typically have up to three years.
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Green Card:
- Grants lawful permanent residence in the United States.
- Available to family members of citizens, employees with permanent jobs, refugees, investors, and individuals working in specific job categories.
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Naturalization:
- The process of obtaining full US citizenship.
- Requires meeting specific requirements, including holding a green card for over five years, speaking English, and passing a US history and civics test.
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Immigration System Challenges:
- The immigration process remains slow and overburdened, resulting in visa application backlogs.
- Significant stress is placed on the system due to the sheer number of applicants and individual attention required.
- Hundreds of thousands of undocumented immigrants enter the US outside of legal channels.
Contemporary Immigration Context
- The immigration debate has become more complex in recent years, encompassing economic, social, and national security considerations.
- Increased focus on national security after 9/11 and the economic recession of 2007 have fueled scrutiny of immigrants and their impact on the US.
- Anti-immigrant sentiments have risen due to domestic policy concerns.
- Despite continued discussions, enacting comprehensive immigration reform faces significant challenges due to differing views on how to address issues.
Immigration in the Early 1900s
- Following the turn of the century, immigrant communities were still defined by race.
- Immigrants of all statuses were segregated in schools and denied certain rights because of their race.
- The Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882 prohibited Chinese workers from entering the United States.
- It also barred those in the country from bringing their families.
- The Chinese Exclusion Act became a model for future immigration restrictions based on nationality.
- The anti-Chinese sentiment set the stage for later anti-Japanese sentiment.
- The “Yellow Peril” movement led San Francisco to segregate Asian students from other children.
- The Japanese were allowed to emigrate to America for the first time in 300 years during this period.
- They faced similar discrimination as the Chinese.
- The Japanese government protested these discriminatory actions to President Theodore Roosevelt.
- The Gentlemen’s Agreement of 1907, led by President Theodore Roosevelt, persuaded Japan to place limitations on emigration.
Immigration Restrictions in the early 1900s
- The Dillingham Commission, a group of senators, called for stricter immigration laws in 1911.
- The commission suggested that immigrants entering the U.S. should be limited based on their country of origin.
- The National Origins Act of 1924 limited the amount of immigrants admitted from each European country.
- This quota was based on the population of each nationality in the U.S. in 1890.
- This act significantly reduced immigration from Italy, Hungary, Poland because these groups began immigrating after 1890.
- The anti-immigration movement of the late 1800s and early 1900s led to immigration restrictions against Asian immigrants.
Immigration Policy in the Cold War
- The United States became the most powerful country in the world after World War II.
- The Cold War redefined the United States’ role in the world.
- This period saw a transformation in immigration policy.
- The Displaced Persons Act of 1948 admitted more than 400,000 refugees left homeless from World War II and the spread of Soviet communism in Eastern Europe.
- From the 1950s to the 1960s, several bills offered refuge to those fleeing communism.
- The United States' role in the Cold War led to the acceptance of refugees fleeing communism, but not those from civil wars in Central America.
The Turning Point in Immigration Policy
- The Immigration and Nationality Act of 1952 loosened restrictions on Asian immigration.
- The Immigration and Nationality Act of 1965 ended the national origins quota.
- The 1965 act is considered the turning point in immigration policy.
- The civil rights movement of the 1950s and 1960s brought about the changes in immigration policy.
- The 1965 act was based on family reunification and employment opportunities instead of national origins.
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Description
Test your knowledge on the waves of immigration to the United States during the turn of the century. Understand the factors promoting immigration, the demographics of immigrants, and the opposition they faced. This quiz covers key historical events and sentiments surrounding the immigrant experience.
