In-Depth Notes on Immigration Act of 1990 and U.S. Immigration History

Introduction to Immigration Issues

• Immigration is a politically charged topic with various opinions.
• Focus of the class is historical immigration policies and their impacts.

Brief Overview of Past Immigration Acts

• Chinese Exclusion Act: First federal immigration law, targeting Chinese immigrants.
• Immigration Act of 1903: Banned anarchists from entering the U.S.
• Immigration Act of 1917: Introduced literacy tests and aimed at the "three D's" (dependents, delinquents, and defectives).
• Quota Acts (1921 & 1924): Set numerical limits on immigration based on national origins.
• Immigration Act of 1952: Introduced a preference system.
• Immigration and Nationality Act of 1965: Overhauled quotas, emphasized family reunification, and eliminated exceptions.
• Reform and Control Act of 1986: Offered amnesty to undocumented immigrants and addressed responsibility for undocumented immigration.

The Immigration Act of 1990

• Signed into law by George H.W. Bush on November 29, 1990.
• Introduced by Senator Ted Kennedy; aimed to reform immigration significantly.
• Increased the ceiling for regular immigration to approx. 700,000 until 1995, then to 675,000.

Goals of the Immigration Act of 1990

• Family Reunification: Introduced family visas to facilitate bringing family members of permanent residents and citizens to the U.S.
• Addressed criticisms of "chain migration" but clarified misconceptions about family involvement in visa applications.
• Admitting Workers: Created job visas for priority workers in demand labor sectors.
• Focused on agricultural and lower-wage jobs, although skilled professions also included.
• Examples of job visa recipients include healthcare professionals and entertainers.
• Diversity Visas: Aimed to diversify the immigrant population from less represented countries through a lottery system.
• Refuge for Those in Need: Laws for refugees expanded, allowing those fleeing violence or persecution to seek shelter in the U.S.
• Introduced Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for individuals unable to safely return to home countries.

Impact of the Immigration Act of 1990

• Contrary to hopes, undocumented immigration numbers rose by over 50% in the 1990s.
• Various state-level restrictions emerged to combat undocumented immigration, like California's Proposition 187.
• President Bill Clinton attempted to enhance border security to deter unauthorized immigration.
• Legislative changes in 1996 increased penalties for undocumented entry and established expedited deportation procedures.

Continuing Immigration Challenges

• Despite various attempts at reform by multiple administrations, undocumented populations peaked in 2007.
• The post-9/11 environment led to increased security measures and legislative changes (e.g., the USA PATRIOT Act).
• The Department of Homeland Security was created in 2002, consolidating agencies for immigration enforcement.

Developments Under Recent Administrations

• Notable actions of President Obama included DACA, which postponed deportation for certain undocumented individuals from childhood arrivals.
• Controversial judicial decisions blocked the expansion of DACA, leading to ongoing debates regarding immigration policy.

Current Immigration Statistics (2023)

• 47.8 million foreign-born residents in the U.S., comprising 14.3% of the population.
• Majority of immigrants from Asia and Latin America.
• Most immigrants reside in California, Texas, Florida, and New York.
• 1 million+ immigrants became lawful permanent residents in 2023.
• Refugee and visa processing backlogs due to caps and delays.

Conclusion

• Immigration policies have evolved but remain contentious and complex.
• Future discussions will include the ongoing debate of unauthorized immigrants and changes in policies over time.
• Upcoming exams and quizzes to review important immigration topics discussed in the class.