they could do either in their old home or in a new, they were obliged to compete with the foreigner on a comparatively low level. tion. The result of this competition was unsatisfactory Results of foreign because both wages and the old standards of living were competilowered. From the standpoint of increased wealth, these immigrants, most of whom were young and strong, have been a great advantage to us. From the standpoint of living standards of the poorer American, however, they have been a serious disadvantage. 284. Social Results of Immigration.—In spite of laws which have sought to limit the immigration of those who might become public charges, we find that immigration has added to the crime, poverty, insanity, and illiteracy in the United States. We learn that although persons of foreign birth or foreign parentage number only one third of the total population, less than one half of the crimes traceable to white persons are committed by native-born Americans. The figures for poverty are more startling. In 1890, for example, although only fifteen per cent of the American people were foreign-born, immigrants formed forty per cent of the paupers receiving public aid. When we consider that many of these paupers are also insane, and that the cost of caring for the foreign insane and paupers in the single state of New York amounts to more than $20,000,000 a year, we can see how great a burden has been placed upon the American people by the migration of these misfit or unfit members of society. Increase of crime due to immigration. Cost to paupers and America of insane per sons. Illiteracy among children of immigrants, Among native white people of the United States, there is much less illiteracy than there was a quarter of a natives. century ago. It is interesting to note that illiteracy is lowest among the native white persons of foreign parent- and the forage. Only about one per cent of the children of immigrants over ten years of age are unable to read or write. eign born. Summary of exclusion acts. Immigration problem during tion period. reconstruc On the contrary, so many illiterate immigrants have come to America during the last twenty-five years that nearly thirteen per cent of the foreign-born white people are unable to read. 285. Laws Restricting Immigration.-In 1864, Congress created the office of immigration commissioner, for the purpose of looking after immigrants. It was not until 1882, however, that any law was made for the exclusion of foreigners. Since that year convicts, idiots, and persons likely to become public charges have been excluded. In 1884, Congress forbade the admission of aliens who had contracted to work in competition with American labor. In the list of undesirables Congress more recently has included anarchists, convicts, and those with certain contagious diseases, including tuberculosis.2 Illiterates above the age of sixteen, except wives or dependent parents of immigrants, are excluded by the law of 1917. Since the World War, the reconstruction immigration problem has become far more serious that it ever was before. During that struggle practically every country of Europe lost an immense amount of property and a large number of men. In many areas the devastation has been so widespread that it has been almost impossible for the peasants to make even the poor living that they made before the war. Immediately at the close of the contest, people were too poor to migrate; but, as soon as they had saved a little money, they besieged the steamship companies for passage to a country that had suffered comparatively little and that looked to them like paradise. 1 Orientals are practically excluded either by law or by international agreement. 2 If a steamship line brings one of these forbidden aliens to our shores, it is required to give that person return passage. This law helps to account for the fact that the number of excluded aliens has never risen above one per cent of those seeking admission to the country. In 1921, Congress therefore passed a law restricting of an im In the future the American people must study this Features problem of immigration more carefully. Although we migration should not close our doors to refugees who seek to escape policy. BOARD OF LAST RESORT ON ADMISSION OF IMMIGRANTS from political and religious oppression or who wish to get away from economic hardships, after all, our first duty must be to ourselves. Oriental immigration to the Pacific coast should be prohibited, and European immigration to the shores of the Atlantic should be limited as 'much as is necessary. AMERICANIZATION are allowed 286. The Process of Naturalization.-Virtually all Why aliens aliens are allowed to become citizens in order that they to become may really become Americans. If they lived here, but citizens. were not members of this nation, they would take comparatively little interest in American affairs. As The first step in tion. they have come in large numbers, it is undesirable to have them in America without making them members or citizens. An alien can become a citizen only after five years naturaliza- residence in this country. He is obliged to take out two sets of papers. The first are called intention papers and are given to him when he goes before a federal court and declares that it is his intention to become a citizen of the United States. These papers may be taken out at any time after he has resided in this country one year. The court keeps a record of his statements and gives him The last step in naturaliza tion. Copyright, Underwood and Underwood EXAMINING APPLICANTS FOR AMERICAN CITIZENSHIP papers to show that he has declared his intention of becoming an American citizen. Not less than two years after intention papers have been granted to him, nor more than seven years after that time, the foreigner who wants to become a citizen goes again before a court which keeps records. This GRANTING FINAL CITIZENSHIP PAPERS is naturalized, his wife and minor children do not need separate naturalization papers. zation in 287. The Making of Americans. In the past, some AmericaniAmericans have felt that foreigners must be excluded the past. from this country. They have believed that the large number of aliens who have come, ignorant and apparently degraded, are a menace to America and to her institutions. Looking back, we are grateful that our ancestors did not, or could not, take any action excluding Europeans from 1 In the county of Los Angeles, state of California, and in some other localities, citizen papers are seldom granted unless the applicant has gone to a special school and taken a course in citizenship. The certificate which proves that the applicant has completed such a course is accepted by the court without further discussion. This is called the diploma plan of naturalization. |
