AP US History in 1 Minute Daily: Immigration Policies (Day 193/309)

Hey APUSHers, let’s chat about immigration policies as part of my series- APUSH in 1 Minute Daily!

“The Immigrant,” The Ohio State University

In response to the rapid surge of international immigration in the mid to late 19th century, nativist sentiments proliferated.

“Looking Backward,” The Ohio State University

Fears of job competition and cultural differences as well as racial attitudes led to the emergence of groups, such as the Immigration Restriction League, that sought to implement restrictive immigration policies.

“The Only One Barred Out,” Wikimedia Commons 

Enacted in 1882, the Chinese Exclusion Act reflected American xenophobia. As the first explicit federal immigration ban based on nationality, Chinese laborers were prohibited from migration to the U.S.

Immigrants Arriving at Ellis Island, Wikimedia Commons

The Immigration Act of 1891 established federal oversight of immigration procedures with the creation of the Bureau of Immigration. Additionally, it implemented ports of entry to inspect immigrants and Ellis Island in New York became a gateway for millions of European immigrants in the period.

As a result of the rise in nativist sentiments in the late 19th century, new immigration restrictions were enacted to limit both who and how many immigrants were allowed to enter the United States.

Join me tomorrow as I explain political machines in the next APUSH in 1 Minute Daily!