The Trump Administration's latest move to restrict immigration to the US has been met with criticism from experts, who argue that the decision is rooted in a long history of racial quotas and xenophobia.
By limiting immigrant visas to applicants from 75 countries, primarily in Africa, Asia, Latin America, and the Caribbean, as well as 10 countries from eastern Europe, the Department of Homeland Security claims that immigrants are at "high risk" of reliance on welfare and becoming a "public charge". However, immigration scholar Heba Gowayed disputes this claim, pointing out that the vast majority of immigrants have been legally disqualified from cash welfare since 1996.
Gowayed also notes a disturbing pattern in the countries on the list - nearly all were also restricted through the 1924 Immigration Act's racial quotas. This act, which set a cap on total immigration to just a fifth of the pre-first world war number, allocated nearly nine out of ten slots to people from northern and western Europe, with the remaining largely set aside for people from southern and eastern Europe.
The 1924 law also established the category of "illegal alien" for the first time, as well as visa requirements. Notably, this act has eerie parallels with Trump's own rhetoric and policies, including his claim that immigrants are "poisoning the nation's blood".
Trump's administration is also evoking similar tactics used by former President Calvin Coolidge in 1924, who signed the Johnson-Reed Act into law despite its widespread popularity. The act achieved its goal of keeping America white and stopping migration, with immigration to the US coming to a screeching halt.
Fast forward to today, where the concern that the US could become majority non-white as of 2045 is driving Project 2025's mass deportation vision. However, experts warn that this move has nothing to do with economics, but rather with a desire to whiten the nation.
The resistance to this latest immigration ban can be seen in its precedents in US history, including the civil rights movement, which fought against racial quotas and xenophobia. The work of this movement continues, highlighting the need for organizing, protesting, and fighting for a system that recognizes the humanity of all people, regardless of their background or skin color.
As Gowayed puts it, "There is no price tag on accomplishing this goal" - but there is a price to pay in terms of human dignity, equality, and justice. The US must recognize its long history of racial quotas and xenophobia and work towards a more inclusive and equitable immigration system that values the contributions of all people.
By limiting immigrant visas to applicants from 75 countries, primarily in Africa, Asia, Latin America, and the Caribbean, as well as 10 countries from eastern Europe, the Department of Homeland Security claims that immigrants are at "high risk" of reliance on welfare and becoming a "public charge". However, immigration scholar Heba Gowayed disputes this claim, pointing out that the vast majority of immigrants have been legally disqualified from cash welfare since 1996.
Gowayed also notes a disturbing pattern in the countries on the list - nearly all were also restricted through the 1924 Immigration Act's racial quotas. This act, which set a cap on total immigration to just a fifth of the pre-first world war number, allocated nearly nine out of ten slots to people from northern and western Europe, with the remaining largely set aside for people from southern and eastern Europe.
The 1924 law also established the category of "illegal alien" for the first time, as well as visa requirements. Notably, this act has eerie parallels with Trump's own rhetoric and policies, including his claim that immigrants are "poisoning the nation's blood".
Trump's administration is also evoking similar tactics used by former President Calvin Coolidge in 1924, who signed the Johnson-Reed Act into law despite its widespread popularity. The act achieved its goal of keeping America white and stopping migration, with immigration to the US coming to a screeching halt.
Fast forward to today, where the concern that the US could become majority non-white as of 2045 is driving Project 2025's mass deportation vision. However, experts warn that this move has nothing to do with economics, but rather with a desire to whiten the nation.
The resistance to this latest immigration ban can be seen in its precedents in US history, including the civil rights movement, which fought against racial quotas and xenophobia. The work of this movement continues, highlighting the need for organizing, protesting, and fighting for a system that recognizes the humanity of all people, regardless of their background or skin color.
As Gowayed puts it, "There is no price tag on accomplishing this goal" - but there is a price to pay in terms of human dignity, equality, and justice. The US must recognize its long history of racial quotas and xenophobia and work towards a more inclusive and equitable immigration system that values the contributions of all people.
It feels like they're trying to recreate some kind of "good old days" where only certain groups were allowed in, but that's just plain ugly. The fact that these restrictions remind me of the 1924 law is super disturbing - it's like history is repeating itself and I don't see how that's a good thing 
. The claim that immigrants are going to rely on welfare is just not supported by facts, IMO. And can we talk about how weird it is that they're using the "public charge" excuse to target specific countries? It feels like a thinly veiled attempt to limit certain groups from entering the country. I'm all for a fair and equitable immigration system, but this move just feels like more of the same old xenophobia and racism that's been going on in this country for far too long 
just thinkin about this new move by trump's admin is wild 
it feels like we're back in 1924 when they passed that law to limit immigration to 'pure' americans 
and what's with these new restrictions? seems like a bunch of xenophobia 
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. The 1924 Immigration Act's racial quotas were clearly designed to restrict immigration from certain groups, particularly those from southern and eastern Europe... eerily similar to Trump's rhetoric 
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. We need an inclusive and equitable immigration system that values diversity and promotes human dignity 
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. There is no price tag on accomplishing this goal, but there is a price to pay in terms of human dignity, equality, and justice 
. And then this news comes out about Trump restricting visas to people from 75 countries... it just makes you wonder, why? Is it really about keeping America safe or is it something more? 
I mean, we've seen this stuff before in history - like with the 1924 Immigration Act and all its racist quotas 
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THE 1924 IMMIGRATION ACT WAS A DARK TIME IN AMERICAN HISTORY, AND IT'S AMAZING THAT WE'RE STILL SEEING SIMILAR TACTICS BEING USED TODAY 
the idea that immigrants are "poisoning the nation's blood" is JUST SO OLD-SCHOOL AND RACIST 
It sounds like they're playing into old stereotypes about immigrants being "poisoning" the nation. That's just not true! Most immigrants come here looking for a better life and contribute so much to our society. 
It makes no sense to me.
. If we look at the countries they're choosing to restrict, it's like they're trying to recreate the past - and we all know where that leads to 
. I mean, come on, folks, do we really need another round of racial quotas? It feels like they're just trying to scare people off by linking them to "welfare" 
, but let's be real, most immigrants have been legally shut out of those programs since 1996.
We're supposed to be a melting pot, not some kind of exclusive club. And the fact that they're trying to evoke the same tactics used by Calvin Coolidge back in 1924 just shows how desperate they are.
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I'm literally freaking out over this new immigration ban 
. The fact that most immigrants have been disqualified from welfare since '96 is being ignored, and the list of restricted countries has eerie parallels with the 1924 Immigration Act 
. The resistance should be strong, just like in the civil rights movement 
... it feels like we're right back to the 1920s, you know when they had those racist quotas and stuff? 
anyways, gotta keep fighting for our rights and trying to make america better for everyone 
. It's all about perpetuating a narrative that immigrants are somehow "other" or less deserving of rights just cuz they're not from the same old Euro-dominated countries 
. No more xenophobia or racism hiding behind "national security" 
.