Immigration Laws in America
In 1891, the federal government assumed responsibility from the states for regulating immigration. From this act came the Office of Immigration and the Marine Hospital Service.
Immigration act of 1891
The Immigration Act of 1891 declared that certain classes of individuals including idiots, insane persons, contagiously ill, convicted felons, polygamists, paupers, any persons who could become a public charge on society, and any person whose ticket was paid by another were unfit to become American citizens. The U.S. wanted only those who could care for themselves without the assistance of others. Immigrants entering illegally were taken back to their home country at their own expense and paid $300 per offense.
The Immigration Act of 1891 Government Document
The Emergency quota act of 1921
The United States cutting down immigrant numbers.
This act temporarily limited the number of immigrants to the U.S. by imposing quotas based on country of birth. Annual allowable quotas for each country of origin were calculated at 3% of the total number of foreign-born persons from that country recorded in the 1910 U.S. Census.
The government allowed exceptions to officials and their families, aliens who were passing through the U.S., visitors and tourists, temporary workers, immigrants from countries in the Western Hemisphere, and minor children of U.S. immigrants.
The government allowed exceptions to officials and their families, aliens who were passing through the U.S., visitors and tourists, temporary workers, immigrants from countries in the Western Hemisphere, and minor children of U.S. immigrants.
The Emergency Quota Act of 1921 Government Document
The Immigration Act of 1924
The new act changed the 3% to 2% and would be based off of the 1890 U.S. Census instead of 1910. Wives and unmarried children of U.S. citizens, residents of the Western Hemisphere, religious or academic professionals, and “bona-fide students” under 15 years of age were considered non-quota immigrants. Individuals who did not fit into these categories were referred to as quota immigrants and were subject to annual numerical limitations. Preferential privileges would be given to family members of U.S. citizens and to immigrants skilled in agriculture. After July 1st, 1927, allowable annual quotas for each nationality were based on the national origins, by birth or ancestry, of the total U.S. population as recorded in 1920. The overall quota of 150,000 immigrants was divided between
countries in proportion to the ancestry of the 1920 population, with a minimum
quota (no less than) 100.
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The Immigration Act of 1924 Government Document
While these acts were specific and limiting, they were put in place to ensure that the nation would not become overcrowded and the eventual closing of Ellis Island.
All political cartoons on this page are from the book Ellis Island: Gateway to the New World by Leonard Everett Fisher.
Click to enlarge photographs.
Click to enlarge photographs.