Dr. Thomas D. BoswellDr. Thomas D. Boswell

Department of Geography & Regional Department of Geography & Regional StudiesStudies

University of MiamiUniversity of MiamiCoral Gables, Florida 33124Coral Gables, Florida 33124

TBowell@Miami.eduTBowell@Miami.edu

Seven Key Immigration Seven Key Immigration DatesDates• 1820-1860 -- Western and Northern Europe1820-1860 -- Western and Northern Europe• 1880-1924 -- Shift in Major Origins to 1880-1924 -- Shift in Major Origins to

Southern and Easter EuropeSouthern and Easter Europe• 1921-1924 Immigration Acts (National 1921-1924 Immigration Acts (National

Origins and Quota System) – Favored Origins and Quota System) – Favored Western and Northern EuropeWestern and Northern Europe

• 1928-1965 – Immigration Lull (Great 1928-1965 – Immigration Lull (Great Depression, World War II, Recovery After Depression, World War II, Recovery After WW II)WW II)

• 1965 Amendment to the Immigration Act 1965 Amendment to the Immigration Act • 1970-Present (Latin America and Asia)1970-Present (Latin America and Asia)• 1986 Immigration Reform and Control Act1986 Immigration Reform and Control Act

Immigration BecomesImmigration Becomes Especially Controversial Especially Controversial When 3 Conditions PrevailWhen 3 Conditions Prevail

• There Is A Large Increase in ImmigrationThere Is A Large Increase in Immigration

• There Is A Major Shift In the Origins of There Is A Major Shift In the Origins of the Immigrantsthe Immigrants

• There Is A Large Increase in There Is A Large Increase in Undocumented (Illegal) Immigration Undocumented (Illegal) Immigration

With Immigration There Are With Immigration There Are Competing Interests Competing Interests

• What Is Best for One Group May Not What Is Best for One Group May Not Be Best for Another Be Best for Another

• Best for the United States (if so for Best for the United States (if so for whom in the U.S.)whom in the U.S.)

• Best for ImmigrantsBest for Immigrants

• Best for the Country of OriginBest for the Country of Origin