Homework

1. Homework • Tonight: Free write brainstorm, 1 page of ideas, any format • Write: To what extent has immigration policy changed throughout U.S. history? To what extent have attitudes about immigrants changed? • Thesis • Evidence from at least three eras • Description (paraphrase what happened) • Analysis (explain historical significance, reason why evidence supports your argument)

2. Sourcing • Personal: Liberal, Progressive, moderate Democratic—not dogmatic about anything. • Professional: Open-minded, fair and balanced, critical, guide (not preacher) • Lenses: • Historical • Political • Social-economic • Interested in traditionally “disempowered” groups (e.g. people of color, women)

3. Key terms • Emigrate vs. Immigration • Push vs. Pull • Amnesty • Refugee • Naturalization

4. 0. pre-Colombian Argument: Beginning in the Upper Paleolithic era and up until the Columbian era (~30,000 B.C. – 1492), the country that would evolve into the United States was originally peopled by migrants from foreign lands who were motivated to acquire and accumulate the resources necessary for survival and civilization.

5. Evidence Most plausible theory: 30,000 – 20,000 years ago the exposed Bering Strait Land Bridge allowed people to migrate from Eurasia to the Americas. Other theories: • Phoenicians, Egyptians, Romans, Arabs, Europeans, Norse/Vikings, Irish/Welsh, Ecuadorians, Peruvians, Inuit, Africans, Chinese, Japanese, Mormons. • Diverse motivations: • Hunter-gatherers—food and survival • Settlers—society and civilization • Sense of spirituality, religion • Spirit of discovery enabled by nature, science, technology

6. I. Colonial Period Argument: The Colonial period (1607-1800) established twin premises with respect to immigration policy and public perception: immigrants were instrumental to the founding of America but also vulnerable to prejudice, discrimination, and inferior treatment.

7. Evidence Immigrants were instrumental… • English, “foreigners,” slaves, indentured servants, convicts provided labor necessary to grow colonies …but vulnerable to discrimination, prejudice, inferior treatment • Quakers, poor, disabled, sickly, Germans, British (post-Revolution) all discouraged (restricted or banned) by law (or test or taxation) from emigrating • Laws established naturalization • June-July 1798—Alien and Sedition Acts, increased the residency requirement for Naturalization to 14 years (Alien) and gave President Adams the power to punish and deport immigrants who were deemed threatening to national security or traitorous (Sedition). Why?

8. II. Nation-building • Argument: In the nation-building period (1800-1849) immigration policy was increasingly influenced by politics, especially during elections, as politicians recognized immigrants as an important voting bloc. At the same time, immigrants were viewed with suspicion because they posed a threat to the authority of traditionally empowered groups.

9. Evidence Policy influenced by politics; viewed with suspicion: • 1800 Jefferson (Dem-Republican) def. Adams (Federalist); Naturalization requirement reduced to five years • 1830-1847 American “Nativists” gain political power and advocate for 21-year residency requirement for Naturalization • 1849 “Know-Nothing” Party forms and pushes for major restrictions on immigration • 1837 Supreme Court backs New York vs. Miln (1837) decision regulating “Paupers, Vagabonds, Convicts, and Infectious Articles” • 1840’s Naturalizations of Germans, Irish are expedited and offered free of charge during election time, NYC. Vote Boss Tweed/Tammany Hall!

10. III. Civil War & Expansion • Argument: In the Civil War and Expansion period (1850-1899) immigration policy reinforced the need for immigrant nation-builders and the idea that immigrants were important to political elections. In addition, despite some gains in civil rights, expansion also reinforced the idea that immigrants were vulnerable to discrimination, prejudice, and racism.

11. Evidence Immigrants were nation-builders • Homestead Act of 1862 encouraged Westward Expansion • 1863-1869 Chinese and Irish construct Transcontinental Railroad Immigrants were politically important • 1868 20 – 30,000 expedited Naturalizations for NYC elections Immigrants were subject to discrimination, prejudice, racism • 1875 Page Law bans “undesirable” Asians • 1880 Burlingame Treaty suspends Chinese immigration • 1880’s Anti-Chinese riots spread across Northwest; Oregon prevents Chinese from owning land • 1882—1943 Chinese Exclusion Act • 1885 Alien Contract Labor Law bans immigrant workers to break up strikes

12. IV. The “Melting Pot” • Argument: In the Gilded Age, Great Depression and World War II eras, the United States became a “melting pot” as a second wave of European immigrants arrived through Ellis Island (NYC) and Asian immigrants continued to arrive through Angel Island in (CA). This time period saw increased regulation, the establishment of quotas, and war-time discrimination against groups from enemy countries. At the same time, immigration policy became more relaxed and generous for immigrants from allied countries, supporting the assertion that the U.S. immigration policy is guided more by national interest than by commitment to the principles of equality, freedom, and justice.

13. Evidence • Second Wave of Immigration, “melting pot” • Immigrants from Eastern Europe  Ellis Island (1892-1954) • Immigrants from Asia  Angel Island (1910-1940) • 1921 first quota system established (3%; limited immigration in general; favored Protestant NW over Catholics SE) • Discrimination, prejudice, racism • 1903 Anarchist Exclusion Act (response to McKinley assassination) • 1914 Eugenics movement influences immigration • 1942—FDR Executive Order 9066 sends over 110,000 Japanese and Japanese-American U.S. citizens to internment camps. Order backed in Korematsu v. The United States (1944). • Loosening up • 1943 Chinese Exclusion Act repealed; Chinese granted right to naturalization • 1943 Bracero program  5 million Mexican laborers (most male; field and farm)

14. V. Post-war, Cold War Era Argument: The post-war and Cold War eras (1950-1999) saw the most prolonged period of inclusive immigration policy in U.S. history as the United States made it easier for immigrants from allied wartime countries to obtain residency and Naturalization.

15. Evidence A prolonged period of inclusive policy • 1965 Hart-Celler Immigration Act abolishes immigration criteria based on nation of origin and race. • 1968 Armed Forces Naturalization Act allows foreign veterans of Vietnam War the ability to naturalized • 1975 Indochina Migration and Refugee Assistance Act admits displaced Vietnamese, Cambodians, Laotians • 1976 President Gerald Ford repeals Executive Order 9066, apologizes for “National Mistake.” • 1980 Refugee Act allows persecuted immigrants to seek asylum in the U.S. • 1990 Immigration Act increases limit on legal immigration and revises grounds for Exclusion and Deportation • 1996 Illegal Immigration and Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Acts allow ~300,000 Central Americans to become legal residents

16. VI. Modern Era • The September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks profoundly shaped public attitudes about immigration and proved to be a turning point in immigration policy. As national security and defense have became top priorities, laws continue to regulate legal immigration and crack down on illegal immigration. More broadly, 9/11 highlights the tension between bolstering national security and protecting individual civil liberties.

17. Evidence Cracking down on illegal immigration: Securing the U.S.—Mexico border • 9/11 terrorist attacks prompt U.S. Department of Defense to expand military support along the borders. • May 2002 Enhanced Border Security and Visa Entry Reform Act updates immigration databases and travel document requirements • “Minuteman Project” begins recruiting civilians to patrol US-Mexico border, a “peaceful protest” that results in the arrest of 146 undocumented immigrants. Bush and Mexico condemn the movement as vigilante, and the ACLU sends observers. • 2005 REAL ID Act makes it more difficult for immigrants to gain asylum and easier to deport foreigners suspected of terrorist activity • October 2006 U.S. strengthens fence along US-Mexico border • 2006 U.S. Department of Homeland Security estimates 11.8 million illegal immigrants (down to 11.6 in 2008), 59% from Mexico

18. Evidence, cont. National security versus Civil Liberties • April 23, 2010 Arizona Bill SB 1070 forces legal immigrants to carry paperwork proving their status. Arizona police question anyone they “reasonable suspect” of being undocumented. • July 28, 2010 Federal judge temporarily blocks implementation of SB1070 • May 26, 2011 US Supreme Court upholds Arizona law that penalizes businesses hiring illegal immigrants • June 25, 2012 U.S. Supreme Court upholds centerpiece of SB 1070, or the “show me your papers” provision, though it leaves the door open for further challenges. The court rejects provisions that subject illegal immigrants to criminal penalties for seeking work in the U.S.

19. Big ideas & Conclusions • Country founded and built by immigrants. • “Superior” and “inferior” status evident form the beginning (in-group, out-group). • Discrimination prejudice, racism themes that flare up when the country feels threatened. • Historically, U.S. attitudes and policy more favorable to Protestants than Catholics; Europeans than Asians. • Arizona SB 1070 will influence the upcoming immigration debate. • If the immigration system is presently “broken,” it was never “fixed.” • Actions should reflect principles; too often they are driven by political or economic interest.

20. Historical empathy • Embrace nuance, complexity, “shades of grey.” • Check your bias • Attempt to fully comprehend your opponents • Compromise is necessary for consensus.

21. Assessment The Colonial period (1607-1800) established twin premises with respect to immigration policy and public perception: immigrants were instrumental to the founding of America but also vulnerable to prejudice, discrimination, and inferior treatment. Which of the following evidence does NOT support the above argument? • June-July 1798—Alien and Sedition Acts • 1607 English colonists settle Jamestown, VA • 1656 Anti-Quaker sentiment popular but Quakers still immigrate • 1740 British Parliament enacts the Plantation Act, which becomes the model for future U.S. Naturalization Acts • England stops emigrating to the colonies; fines imposed upon emigrants and shipmasters violating the law