10. migration ETST 001 25W.pptx

Histories of Migration Policy

• Focus on the Johnson Reed Act and its implications on immigration policy.

• Utilize racial formation frameworks to analyze migration policy-making.

The Johnson Reed Act of 1924

• Purpose: Explore the Act's significance in shaping U.S. immigration policy.

• Key Features: Created immigration quotas and reflected demographics from the 1920 Census.

Context of World War I

• Post-war nationalism increased immigration restrictions and standard passport controls.

• Economic decline in the 1920s led to greater lobbying for restrictive policies.

National Origins and Race

• Aimed to establish quotas that favored Northern Europeans and excluded other racial groups.

• Barred Asian immigration, with exceptions for the Philippines.

Racial Implications

• Constructed a singular "White" American identity, systematically excluding immigrants of color.

• Mexican labor was vital for agriculture, yet they were labeled as "deportable".

Lasting Effects

• Racialized quotas (1924-1965) influenced the immigration landscape.

• 1965 Immigration and Naturalization Act abolished national origin quotas, focusing on family reunification and skilled labor.