“The history of U.S. immigration reflects the social, economic, and political climate of the time. It also illustrates the nation’s ongoing ambivalence about immigration, as well as offers insights on the role of race, prejudice, fear, and nativism in shaping U.S. immigration policy…
Historically, when Americans view the present and future…immigrants and the benefits they bring are valued and celebrated. But when faced with economic downturns, national-security concerns, and high-volume immigration, U.S. society often becomes less welcoming and even hostile to immigrants. …
To continue thriving as a nation, we must be intentional about weaving newcomers into the fabric of society.”
–GCIR (Grantmakers Concerned with Immigrants and Refugees)
Shortcomings of US Immigration Policy in the Past (and Present!):
US Policy has frequently ignored the larger historical forces that drive immigration. It often, ironically, fights against the economic interests of the United States itself, and is shaped more by public fears and anxieties than sound public policy. See examples of political cartoons/actual documents that convey this below:
Chinese "coolies" or contract laborers were banned following economic turmoil in the US and heightened nativism
Post 9/11, Muslims become a new target of racism and prejudice
Arizona's SB 1070 Law, dubbed the "Show Me Your Papers" Act, would require local police to pull over and ask for government identification papers anyone reasonably suspect of being an undocumented immigrant, which many argue merely translates to racial profiling
At the turn of the 19th century, Catholics were openly targeted as unwanted immigrants
Following the attacks at Pearl Harbor and US entry into WWII, the US government interns over 100,000 Japanese-Americans on internment camps
