Oppression

·        Starting the 19^th century almost 25 million Europeans immigrated to the U.S. some came avoiding religious persecution, famine, military abuse, and bad economy.

·        Immigrants who had diseases such as heart problems or hernias did not pass the inspection therefore they were not allowed in.

·        Then as many immigrants entered the country prejudice started. Many claimed that this was because of the occupations with low wages and others because of the Catholic religion many brought.

·        In May 6, 1882 the Chinese exclusion Act signed by President Chester A. Arthur was passed. This was the first significant law restricting immigration. The federal law prohibited this ethnic working group saying it endangered localities. This act and later its extension the “Geary Act” of 1902 let very few Chinese in for 10 years and prevented the Chinese already in to become citizens. Also it added restrictions by requiring each Chinese resident to register and obtain a certificate of residence to prevent deportation. The Chinese in the U.S. sent letters to the president but the law was not repelled until the 1943 almost 20s.

·        On October 11, 1906 the San Francisco Board of education ordered the Chinese and Japanese to attend segregated oriental schools.

·        By 1921 the first quantitave immigration law was made. The Quota Law limited the number of aliens of any nationality who could enter the United States by 3%.

·         Later on the Immigration Act of 1924. This act gave preference in immigration on persons with skill and relatives in the U.S. It also provided that immigrants could apply for citizenship after 5 years of residency. In this year the border patrol is established. By 1940 the Alien Registration Act demands registration and fingerprinting of all aliens.

·        1954: Ellis Island closes; there was no more mass immigration. 

Sources :

http://www.ourdocuments.gov/doc.php?flash=old&doc=47
http://www.libraryindex.com/pages/2402/Immigration-Almost-Four-Hundred-Years-American-History-RESTRICTIONS-ON-IMMIGRATION-TIGHTEN.html
http://www.ellisislandimmigrants.org/ellis_island_immigrants.htm
http://www.archives.gov/pacific/education/curriculum/4th-grade/chinese-exclusion.html

http://connected.mcgraw-hill.com/