Essays on Operation Gatekeeper

1. Explain the Naturalization Acts of 1790 and 1870.

The act of naturalization of 1790 was the initial effort by the congress to develop an immigration policy. The act constrained naturalization to white individuals who were free and of decent character and had initially stayed in America for a period of two years. The 1870 act on the other had been an initiative by the congress to widen the laws of naturalization in the country so that it could permit the naturalization of African-Americans.

2. How do we explain that the majority of 19th century immigrant groups achieved social mobility while more recent immigrant groups have not?

Most immigrants of the 19th century attained high levels of social mobility as compared to immigrants today. In present day, there are dissimilar rules and ...

Introduction

The immigration legislation in the U.S. today is the product of decades worth of political wrangling and public anger on both sides of the debate. The immigration debate has gone back and forth between the two political parties in this country to such a degree that there is de facto compromise on the elements of reform, and now all we have to do is implement the reforms that are already in place. The argument has gone back and forth for decades with both Democratic and Republican regimes signing legislation that encourages immigration then opposes immigration. The full circle is here ...