The Immigration Act also known as the Emergency Quota Act of 1921 or the Johnson Act was enacted and signed into law in 1921. It was sponsored by Albert Johnson and got passed without a recorded vote. According to the US Immigration Legislation, the sole purpose of this law was to limit the immigration of aliens into the “United States of America by imposing quotas based on the country of birth” (1921, n.p). The Act had a large effect on the immigrants from eastern and southern Europe. Americans believed that the Europeans from these regions did not relate well to the society in America. They also thought that the Europeans immigrants threatened their existence. To regulate the level immigration, the law required that no more than three percent of the total immigrants would migrate into America during any year. Consequently, the number of the immigrants fell substantially.
The law did not limit professionals from migrating into America regardless of the country of origin. Immigrants from Latin America and northern Europe had a higher chance of getting an entry. Asian countries that were listed in the immigration act enacted in 1917 and those from countries with bilateral agreements with America were exempted from the Immigration Law. Others included the immigrants from countries in the western hemisphere, aliens visiting America as tourists, government officials and their families and minor children in America (“US Immigration Legislation”, n.p). This act was, therefore, discriminative as it favored some countries and regions from getting entry into America.
The Immigration Bill was enacted at a time when both the United States and Europe were experiencing adverse economic and social upheavals brought about by the World War I. There was an increased immigration to America by the Europeans while at the same time America was undergoing economic downturn due to increased unemployment. To deal with this, the anti-immigrant movement was formed and within no time, it was able to push for the immigration act that had been in debate for many years by the Congress (Porter, n.p).
Apart from thinking that the immigrants would not be assimilated well into the American society due to the difference in culture, language and race, the Americans feared that these immigrants would depress their wages. There were also concerns that these people would gain political power hence end up ruling them all over again. For this reason, only the professionals were allowed, as they would aid in the development of America. The Immigration Act of 1921 is regarded with high importance as it was the first time ever that the Americans declared their interest to limit the Europeans immigration. Although it was to be revised within a year, this did not happen until 1924. It was later replaced by the Immigration and Nationality Act of 1965. This particular one did not use the national origin formula but immigrants’ family relationships with the citizens of America and skills (Porter, n.p).
The immigration act had some effects on the immigrants. As it was hard to distinguish between immigrants and refugees, the refugees who were in dial need for secure places were barred. Their options were consequently limited. The dream of most of the Europeans who wished to settle in America was also killed when this act was enacted. Most had hoped to move to America after the World War I (Porter, n.p).
In conclusion, the Immigration Act was supposed to limit the alien immigration into America. The immigration was to impose quotas based on the country of birth. The law helped control the number of immigrants significantly. America was experiencing a high level of unemployment and feared that the immigrants would come and compete with them for the few jobs that remained. There was also fear that their wages would be reduced, and the Europeans would not relate well to the Americans due to the differences in culture, language, and race. The immigrants dream to see America was therefore killed, as America was not ready to accommodate them.
Works Cited
Porter, Kimberly K. Immigration Act of 1921. n.d. Web. 7 March 2016 <http://immigrationtounitedstates.org/589-immigration-act-of-1921.html>.
US Immigration Legislation. 1921 Emergency Quota Law . n.d. Web. 7 March 2016 <http://library.uwb.edu/static/USimmigration/1921_emergency_quota_law.html>.
