Nativist Quota Systems

Definition

These were policies put into place to limit immigration into the U.S., particularly from certain countries or regions. They reflected nativist sentiments - favoring native-born citizens over immigrants - prevalent at various times throughout U.S. history.

Related terms

Chinese Exclusion Act: An 1882 law that was the first significant restriction on free immigration in U.S. history, prohibiting all immigration of Chinese laborers.

Immigration Act of 1924: A federal law that limited the annual number of immigrants who could be admitted from any country to 2% of the number of people from that country who were already living in the United States as of the 1890 census.

Gentlemen's Agreement: An informal agreement between the United States and Japan in 1907 whereby the U.S. would not impose restrictions on Japanese immigration, and Japan would not allow further emigration to the U.S.