Immigration Act of 1917 facts for kids
The Immigration Act of 1917 was a United States law that aimed to control who could move to the US. It was also known as the Literacy Act or the Asiatic Barred Zone Act. This law was important because it was the first time the US government tried to greatly limit immigration, rather than just manage it. People who wanted to immigrate had to pass special tests. The law also stopped people from many parts of Asia from coming to live in the US. This law stayed in place for many years until it was changed by the Immigration and Nationality Act of 1952.
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What Was the Immigration Act of 1917?
The Immigration Act of 1917 was a big step in US immigration policy. Before this law, the government mostly tried to manage who came into the country. This new act, however, was designed to stop certain groups of people from entering the United States. It set up new rules and requirements for anyone hoping to become an immigrant.
Why Was This Law Created?
In the early 1900s, some people in the US worried about the number of immigrants arriving. They believed that too many new people would cause problems for the country. There were also fears about immigrants taking jobs or changing American culture. These concerns led to calls for stricter immigration laws. The Immigration Act of 1917 was a result of these worries.
What Did the Law Do?
The Immigration Act of 1917 introduced several new rules for immigrants. One of the most important was the literacy test. This meant that most people over the age of 16 had to read a short passage in English or another language. If they could not pass this test, they were not allowed to enter the US.
The law also created new groups of people who were not allowed to immigrate. These included:
- People with certain health conditions
- People who were poor and might need public help
- People who had committed crimes
- People who held certain political beliefs
The Asiatic Barred Zone
Perhaps the most famous part of the law was the creation of the Asiatic Barred Zone. This was a large area of the world, mostly in Asia, from which almost no one was allowed to immigrate to the US. This zone included countries like China, India, and parts of the Middle East. The idea was to prevent people from these regions from settling in America. This part of the law showed a clear bias against people from Asian countries.
How Long Did the Law Last?
The Immigration Act of 1917 was a very strict law. It stayed in effect for many decades. It was a major part of US immigration policy for a long time. The rules set by this act were finally changed in 1952. That year, the Immigration and Nationality Act of 1952 was passed. This new law removed many of the restrictions from the 1917 act, including the Asiatic Barred Zone.
Images for kids
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Map showing Asiatic zone prescribed in section three of Immigration Act, the natives of which are excluded from the United States, with certain exceptions. To contain the so-called "Yellow Peril," the Immigration Act of 1917 established the "Asiatic barred zone" (shown in green), from which the U.S. admitted no immigrants.
