Immigration Act of 1917

Definition

The Immigration Act of 1917 was a United States federal law that added to the number of undesirables banned from entering the country, including but not limited to 'idiots', 'feeble-minded persons', 'criminals', 'epileptics', 'insane persons', alcoholics, and other categories. It also marked the beginning of comprehensive literacy tests for immigrants.

Analogy

Think of this act like a strict bouncer at a club who has been given an extensive list of types of people not allowed in. Just as the bouncer would turn away anyone on his list, so too did America with this act.

Related terms

Literacy Test: A test administered as a precondition for voting, often used to prevent African Americans from exercising their right to vote.

Nativism: The political policy or practice that favors native inhabitants as opposed to immigrants.

Xenophobia: Dislike or prejudice against people from other countries.