U.S. Immigration Policy, Ethnicity, and Religion in American History

Michael C. LeMay is professor emeritus at California State University, San Bernardino. He is author of more than two dozen academic titles, many of which deal with immigration history and policy.

• Tables and BoxesIntroductionChapter 1 An Overview of U.S. Immigration Policy MakingIntroduction: The Importance of Immigration and Religion in AmericaThe Waves of ImmigrationEstablished Religions, Newcomers, and Religious FreedomThe Six Phases of Immigration Policy MakingConclusionChronologyReferencesChapter 2 The Open Door Era, 1820–1880Introduction: Religious Motivation in Colonial ImmigrationReligious Influences on Early American PoliticsReligious/Ethnic Groups in the Old Immigrant WaveNativist Political Reaction to Changing Immigration and Their Policy DemandsConclusionReferencesChapter 3 The Door Ajar Phase, 1880–1920Introduction: The Change in Immigrant WavesThe New Immigrant Wave: Changing Flow, Changing LawsItalian ImmigrantsGreek ImmigrantsPolish ImmigrantsRussian ImmigrantsEastern European JewsThe First Restrictionist Laws: Attempts to Close the Golden DoorThe Push to Further Close the Door, 1890–1920ConclusionReferencesChapter 4 The Pet Door Era, 1920–1950Introduction: Establishing the Quota SystemThe Quota Act of 1921The Immigration Quota Act of 1924The National Origins Quota Act of 1929The Great Depression Decade, 1930–1940The World War II YearsHasidic Jewish Migration and ImmigrationConclusionReferencesChapter 5 The Dutch Door Era, 1950–1985Introduction: Postwar Immigration PolicyThe Immigration and Naturalization Act of 1952The Immigration and Nationality Act of 1965Exponential Rise in Unauthorized Immigration, 1970–1985ConclusionReferencesChapter 6 The Revolving Door Era, 1985–2001Introduction: Religious Trends and Policy—Development of IRCAThe Push to Formulate a Legislative ResponsePolicy Adoption: Passing of IRCA, 1986Split Congressional Voting BlocsTwo Models of Policy ConflictLegislative Strategies and IntentPolicy Implementation: Problems with IRCALegislative Policy Making Post-IRCAConclusionReferencesChapter 7 The Storm Door Era, 2001–2018Introduction: Religious Trends and the Making of Fortress AmericaThe USA Patriot ActDissolving the INS, Creating the DHSGroupthink and Other Problems in the Rush to Create DHSFurther Actions to Build Fortress AmericaLegislative Proposals Introduced and Pending Since 2013President Trump and the Attack on Muslims and Sanctuary CitiesConclusionReferencesBibliographyIndex