Daniels, Chapter 16

The last couple of chapters in this book are teaching us about more recent history, it also seems to be focusing a lot on Immigration Acts. We made a list in class of the many immigration acts that have been passed over the years;

1921-Emergency Quota Act

1924-National Origins Act/Immigration Act

1943-Repeal of the Chinese Exclusion

1946 Open Immigration to Filipinos and Indians

1948-Displaced Persons Act

1952-McCarren-Walter Act

1953-Refugee Relief Act

1965-Immigration Act of 1965

1986-Immigration Reform Act of 1986

In this chapter, Daniels puts an emphasis on The Immigration Reform Act of 1986. This act was placed as a way to really crack down a great deal on immigration to America since so many people were trying to migrate over here.  Many restrictions and laws were placed in effect.

For example, an employer could get prison time if it was found out that they were employing an illegal immigrant.  Yet, at the same time, some people got off easier so that they could in fact have immigrants come and work for them. This is what struck me as very odd and suspicious. This made the whole Reform Act kind of contradictory and made me wonder as to how this Reform Act actually went into place. It makes it seem that here in America we are really just trying to benefit ourselves and not so much those who are trying to make a living out here.

The chapter also focused on the concept of nativism, and how that means that you don't like foreigners who come to live in America.   I think that even in current times, our nation as a whole still has significant rates of nativism.  This is sad and very idiotic seeing as America was founded on nothing but immigrants.  Sadly I don't think that this idea will ever really change. I do however think that it has dropped significantly even since the 80s, but still America has a long way to go.