This country has been anti immigrant(anti anyone not white moving here) since it’s inception
Nah, until 1882, there was literally no restrictions for anyone moving to the US. If you could afford the journey or even successfully stow away on a ship or train or whatever, they’d let you in and let you stay.
When it came to CITIZENSHIP, though, you’re right about the criteria being super racist from day one.
I went to the museum at Ellis island last year. It was surreal because here was a purpose built facility for processing immigrants, meanwhile Venezuelans were lined up on the streets in Manhattan waiting to be processed. There were a number of exhibits showing the racist attitudes of the Americans in the 1870s to 1880s demanding a curb on immigration. Was an educational experience.
Those were originally citizenship restrictions only.
Until 1882, there was no law to keep people of color (or white people, of course) out of the country, even as they were met with tons of discrimination and abuse and no rights.
Nah, until 1882, there was literally no restrictions for anyone moving to the US. If you could afford the journey or even successfully stow away on a ship or train or whatever, they’d let you in and let you stay.
When it came to CITIZENSHIP, though, you’re right about the criteria being super racist from day one.
I went to the museum at Ellis island last year. It was surreal because here was a purpose built facility for processing immigrants, meanwhile Venezuelans were lined up on the streets in Manhattan waiting to be processed. There were a number of exhibits showing the racist attitudes of the Americans in the 1870s to 1880s demanding a curb on immigration. Was an educational experience.
Those restrictions on non-whites, for starters.
Those were originally citizenship restrictions only.
Until 1882, there was no law to keep people of color (or white people, of course) out of the country, even as they were met with tons of discrimination and abuse and no rights.