HIS 317L Immigration and Ethnicity Final Exam Review

1948 Displaced Persons Act

Allows for the immigration of 415,000 people displaced by the war over 4 years, but within the quota limit. Favored Catholics and Protestants over Jews

1946 Luce-Celler Act

signed into law by President Harry Truman on July 2, 1946. The act allowed a quota of 100 Indians and 100 Filipinos to immigrate to the United States per year

1952 Immigration and Nationality Act

passed over Truman's veto, barred people deemed "subversive" or homosexual from becoming citizens or even visiting the US; removed the old ban against Japanese immigration and made Issei eligible for naturalized citizenship

1965 Immigration and Nationality Act

Legislation that put an end to the racially biased quotas set forth in the 1924 Oriental Exclusion Act and the Immigration Act of 1924. It set a universal quota of 20,000 immigrants for every country in the world.

1953 Refugee Relief Act

Extended the 1948 Displaced Persons Act, allowing 214,000 refugees from Europe, outside the quota limit.

1980 Refugee Act

Political asylum for refugees and asylees victimized on the basis of their race, religion, nationality, political affiliation, or group membership

1996 Anti-Terrorism and Effective Death Penalty Act

An Act/Federal Law signed into place by Bill Clinton to deter terrorism, provide justice for victims, provide for an effective death penalty, and for other purposes.

2002 USA PATRIOT Act

Expanded definition of terrorism

INS

Immigration and Nationality Services

Naturalization Service

A Matter of Taboso-Alfonso (1990)

Fidel Armando Toboso-Alfonso, Marielito fleeing Cuba due to his sexuality as

Plyler v. Doe (1982)

A revision to the Texas education laws in 1975 allowed the state to withhold from local school districts funds for educating children of unauthorized immigrants. Four immigrant families sued Tyler Independent School District against the discriminatory law. The court held that states could not deprive children from an education, request citizenship documentation, or hold children liable for their parent's actions.

Jean v. Nelson (1985)

Haitian refugees claimed they were treated unfairly in U.S. detention because of their race. The Supreme Court didn't rule on discrimination but said the government had wide authority to decide who gets released. It showed courts have limited power over immigration decisions.

Rahul v. Bush (2004)

This U.S. Supreme Court case determined that foreign detainees held at Guantánamo Bay could challenge their detention in U.S. federal courts through habeas corpus petitions. The Court ruled that U.S. jurisdiction extended to Guantánamo because the U.S. effectively controlled the base, ensuring detainees' legal rights to question their imprisonment. This was a significant decision for the rights of detainees in the War on Terror.

Hawaii v. Trump (2018)

the U.S. Supreme Court upheld President Trump's travel ban, which restricted entry to the U.S. from several predominantly Muslim countries. The Court ruled 5-4 that the ban was within the president's authority under immigration law and was not unconstitutional discrimination based on religion. The decision emphasized deference to executive power in matters of national security and immigration.

Trump's "Muslim Ban" (2018)

Jan. 2017, Executive Order 13769, The Trump Administration released 3 versions of the "Muslim Ban"

1943 repeal of Chinese Exclusion Act

This allowed Chinese to Immigrate for the first time since Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882 due to our alliance in WWII

Operation Pedro Pan (1960-1962)

a covert program that brought over 14,000 unaccompanied Cuban children to the United States. It was organized by the Catholic Church and the U.S. government to help families fleeing Fidel Castro's communist regime. Parents sent their children to the U.S. to escape political indoctrination and persecution, often with the hope of reuniting later. Many children stayed in foster homes or church facilities until their families could join them.

1954 Operation Wetback

government program aimed at deporting undocumented Mexican immigrants. Led by the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS), it resulted in the removal of over 1 million people, often through controversial and harsh methods. The operation sought to address concerns about illegal immigration and protect domestic labor but faced criticism for racial profiling, poor treatment of deportees, and its impact on communities.

1975, Operation Babylift

U.S. evacuation effort during the final weeks of the Vietnam War to rescue thousands of Vietnamese orphans. The operation airlifted over 3,300 children, many of whom were adopted by families in the United States and other countries. While it was seen as a humanitarian mission, it faced criticism over adoption practices and questions about whether all the children were truly orphans.

Korean Immigration 1950-1965

marked the beginning of a larger wave. Many immigrants were war brides, adoptees, or professionals, including students and skilled workers, seeking better opportunities. The Immigration and Nationality Act of 1965 later significantly increased Korean immigration by removing discriminatory quotas, allowing family reunification and more diverse migration. However, unskilled labor was counted towards quotas and more oppressed

US Central American Sanctuary Movement

a religious and political effort to protect refugees fleeing violence in El Salvador and Guatemala during civil wars. Many were denied asylum by the U.S. government, which supported the regimes in their home countries. Churches and communities across the U.S. declared themselves "sanctuaries," providing shelter, legal aid, and advocacy. The movement highlighted human rights issues and influenced U.S. asylum policies.

NAFTA

a trade deal between the U.S., Canada, and Mexico. It aimed to eliminate most tariffs and trade barriers between the countries, boosting economic integration. While it increased trade and investment, NAFTA also faced criticism for contributing to job losses in U.S. manufacturing, economic disparities, and environmental concerns. It was replaced by the USMCA in 2020.

When did the INS move to the Department of Justice?

1990

What act caused the INS to move to the Dept of Justice?

1990 Immigration Act

Where was the INS orginally housed?

Department of Labor

When was the INS created?

1933

When and why was the INS split into 3 sectors?

2002 PATRIOT Act aiming to increase national security in a response to 9/11

What are the three sectors on INS?

1. Immigration and Customs Enforcement

2. Customs and Border Patrol

3. U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services under the Department of Homeland Security

2002 National Security Entry- Exit Registration System (NSEERS)

government program aimed at tracking non-citizens from specific countries, primarily Muslim-majority nations, following the 9/11 attacks. It required certain individuals to register, be fingerprinted, photographed, and regularly report to immigration authorities. NSEERS was criticized for racial profiling, targeting innocent individuals, and being ineffective for national security. The program was suspended in 2011 and officially dismantled in 2016.

Rigoberta Menchú Tum

Guatemalan Indigenous rights activist and Nobel Peace Prize laureate (1992) known for her advocacy for Indigenous peoples and human rights.

Refugee

a person compelled to seek asylum in another country. Granted refugee status while still outside the country.

Asylum Seeker

Applies for protection AFTER entering the country

NAFTA

A 1994 trade deal between the U.S., Canada, and Mexico to eliminate trade barriers and increase economic cooperation.

Parole Authority

The U.S. government's power to temporarily allow individuals to enter or remain in the country for urgent humanitarian reasons or public benefit.

Indefinite Detention

The practice of holding individuals in custody without a fixed release date, often controversial in the context of national security or immigration.

Interdiction

the act of intercepting or preventing movement, such as stopping migrant boats at sea to prevent unauthorized entry.

Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA)

immigration policy established in 2012 that protects eligible undocumented immigrants who came to the U.S. as children from deportation.

The Cold War

An ideological war over the Western Bloc (U.S.) governed by capitalism and democracy

versus the Eastern Bloc (Soviet Union) governed by socialism and communism

Sanctuary Movement

1980s U.S. effort by religious groups to protect Central American refugees fleeing violence and denied asylum.

Amnesty

governmental pardon for individuals, often undocumented immigrants, allowing them legal status or protection from deportation.

Model Minority Myth

stereotype portraying certain minority groups, especially Asian Americans, as more successful or hardworking than others, often masking systemic issues.

Remittances

Money sent by migrants to their families in their home countries, often a vital source of income for developing economies.

Brain Drain

emigration of highly skilled or educated individuals from one country to another, often depleting talent in the origin country.

Plenary Powers

Absolute authority granted to Congress or the executive branch in certain areas, such as immigration and foreign policy.