Explore how World War II affected immigration. As the war raged overseas, people came to the U.S. in search of work and refuge. Others found themselves no longer welcome. With peace, the U.S. established new points of entry for those looking to establish a new life in the postwar era. 

Laborers, Aliens, and Refugees, 1940-1965

Investigate how American opinion and policy on immigration has shifted over time. From the Chinese Exclusion Act to the deportation of individuals through WWII to modern anti-immigrant rallies, these events and more illustrate how xenophobia has been historically rooted in racism, fear, and economic insecurity. 

Discrimination and Reform

Find out how the U.S. redefined and restricted immigration in the 1920s. After contentious debate between nationalist organizations and immigrant advocacy groups, the Immigration Act of 1924 established quotas based on national origins. Though it severely limited the flow of peoples to the U.S., immigrants persisted, finding new ways to arrive, settle, and thrive in the early 20th century.

Immigration Quotas, 1920-1939

Topic curated by Andrea Ledesma, Digital Public Library of America