how did the immigration pattern and reaction to immigrants from 1965-2000 differ from that of 1880-1924?

Question

I know from 1880-1924 there was increased immigration from eastern and southern European countries, mainly Poland and Italy. Also, I know this created a surge in "nativism" and conservatism at home. Any help for 1965-2000 is appreciated!

Answer 1

There's since the 60s an increased immigration of Latin-Americans and Asians in the US, and a parallel surge in new "nativism". But now it's called the "fight against Multiculturalism", and part of the "Culture Wars". Think about the hysteria over illegal immigrants, the panic about English as the official US language, and the plans to wall of the whole Mexican border.

"Over the past decade, millions of Hispanic immigrants have bypassed traditional urban destinations and put down roots in the American heartland. With large groups of newcomers moving to some of the most homogeneous, tradition-steeped places in the country, a backlash was predictable. But no one could have foreseen the breadth and fury of the new nativism that has risen up from Middle America with an ominous roar."

"The loudest voices of xenophobia have been elevated to the status of national heroes and soothsayers. Anti-immigration hardliners like Colorado Congressman Tom Tancredo and inflammatory pundits like CNN anchor Lou Dobbs (see Daphne Eviatar in this issue), along with a massive echo chamber of right-wing radio gladiators and small-town newspaper columnists, have become the main sources of information for millions of Americans about the causes and effects of Hispanic immigration. States and municipalities are scrambling to fill the void left by Congressional inaction with a mishmash of "reforms" designed to crack down on undocumented immigrants and the companies that hire them. Already this year, more than 500 bills have been introduced in state legislatures. And in this year's midterm elections, politicians all across Middle America--Democrats and Republicans alike--are one-upping one another with draconian proposals and demagogic rhetoric."

"The New Nativism", The Nation, August 28 2006 : http://www.thenation.com/doc/20060828/editors3

Answer 2

Part of it depends on what you mean by immigrant. There are legal and illegal immigrants. The proportion of illegal to illegal probably varies from one country of origin to another - and legals probably have different opinions on some of those issues than illegals. It may also be because of geography. Mexico and the USA are neighbors, the border isn't well-gaurded, so simply crossing the border is more an option form Mexicans than for Asians or whatever else. Once you've crossed, there are some receptive places to settle and work in CA and other SW states. Thus, Mexicans, more than many other ethnic groups, can form communities, even networks of communities in the US - thereby retaining a stronger link to thier culture, and a greater sense of identity. Other immigrants may have fewer of thier countrymen in the US, or in any given area of the US. They may be more evenly distributed throughout the nation, and so need to interface more with mainstream American society. Thus they learn the value of inegration over de facto colonization. It could also be a matter of politics. There are political movements within Mexico and in the Mexican expatirate communities of the US, that believe that parts of the US are actually the rightful property of Mexico, or of native-descended Mexcan people, for instance.

Answer 3

In my first hand experiences with 50 years here in highly immigrant Boston, Massachusetts there doesn't seem to be any difference between the reactions of immigration either from the 19th centuries or 20th centuries and the 21st centuries.

In the 1950s Boston received a large influx of non-English speaking Polish, Lithuanian, Latvian, and Estonian immigrants fleeing communist persecutions from the former Soviet Union, and they struggled to integrate into America, and are still struggling today facing the racism of forced busing, affirmative action, minority quotas, and absurd 'slave reparations' which have no application to these Baltic immigrants.

In 1989-90 thousands of illegal Irish immigrants in Boston were swept up by the INS mercilessly, fined, and deported back to Ireland. I watched this all happen.

Answer 4

We know better now