IMMIGRATION Legal immigration to the United States totals

IMMIGRATION

Legal immigration to the United States totals approximately 900, 000 per year. Family-sponsored immigrants total 480, 000 each year. These immigrants are: Immediate Relatives of U. S. Citizens (spouses, children and parents of U. S. citizens (no numerical limit, approximately 220, 000 to 240, 000 per year);

Employment-based immigrants total 140, 000 each year. These are primarily skilled professionals with exceptional ability and other priority workers, immigrating to jobs for which U. S. Department of Labor has certified that no qualified U. S. worker is available.

Diversity immigrants total 55, 000 per year under the present lottery system that makes immigrant visas available to nationals from "undersubscribed“ countries.

Refugee admissions are determined annually. They presently total approximately 120, 000. Escaping turmoil in home country

OLD IMMIGRANTS Prior to 1880 s Mostly from Northern and Western Europe 1/3 were Irish (Potato Famine) 1/3 were German (political upheaval) Similar to previous immigrants in look (white) and language (Germanic or Romance)

NEW IMMIGRANTS Southern and Eastern Europe Largest sustained migration in world history (1880 -1920) Faced discrimination due to cultural, linguistic and religious differences

GOLDEN DOOR WWII- European Refugees 1965: Immigration Act: Golden Door opens Political and economic refugees from Asia and Latin America

NEW COLOSSUS Poem at base of Statue of Liberty Written by Emma Lazarus “A mighty woman with a torch” “Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free. ” “The wretched refuse of your teeming shore” “I lift my lamp beside the Golden Door”

TERMS Xenophobia Nativism Quota Refugee Undocumented Golden Door Assimilation

BARRIERS TO IMMIGRATION 1850 s Know Nothings 1882 Chinese Exclusion Act 1907 Gentleman’s Agreement 1924 Bans all Asian laborers 1924 National Origins Act