Immigration Legislation and Xenophobia in Early 20th Century America

Introduction

• Common saying: “America beans but Americans repel.”
• Phrase used in political cartoons from late 19th and early 20th century.
• Relevant in today’s debate on immigration.

Immigration Act of 1917

• Marked a significant legislative action on immigration.
• Congress overrode presidential veto to pass it.
• Aimed to balance pluralism and citizen protection.
• Key Provisions:
  • Included English literacy test.
  • Expanded list of undesirable immigrants.
  • Imposed $8 tax on adult immigrants (about $175 today).
  • Barred immigrants from Asiatic Zone.

Background and Context

• Massive immigration from Europe in early 1900s.
• Immigrants filled industrial job gaps in various sectors.
• Congress often tried limiting European immigration.
• Influenced by xenophobia, economic concerns, and pseudoscience of eugenics.

Presidential Stance

• President Woodrow Wilson’s mixed views on immigration.
• Wilson supported open doors yet vetoed the 1917 Act due to literacy test concerns.

Role of Pseudoscience and Racism

• Influence of eugenics and racist ideologies on immigration policies.
• Notable figures like Madison Grant promoted racial superiority theories.

Congressional Actions

• John Bernett’s role in reintroducing literacy test.
• Dillingham Commission’s investigation and findings on immigration threats.

Past Legislation Influences

• Built on Chinese Exclusion Act (1882) and Gentleman’s Agreement (1907).
• Motivated by racism and eugenics, particularly against Asian immigrants.

Literacy Test

• Required reading and writing of U.S. Constitution passages.
• Ineffective in limiting immigrants; only a small percentage failed the test.

Subsequent Immigration Policies

• New systems in 1921 and 1924 with national origin quotas.
• 1924 Act set quotas based on 1890 census.
• Quotas favored Northern Europeans over Southern and Eastern Europeans.

Broader Impacts and Exceptions

• Mexican immigrants largely unaffected by 1917, 1921, and 1924 Acts.
• U.S. history of ambivalence towards immigration.
• America’s dual identity as a nation of immigrants and a proponent of xenophobia.