The Jewish Immigration to America was a difficult journey for refugees. Increased oppression such as the violence of Kristallnacht and the Nuremburg Laws caused many Jews to flee the country. It was difficult for Jews to get entry visas due to restrictive laws passed by the U.S. For instance, in 1924 the Immigration Law was passed by the U.S., which limited the number of entry visas in the U.S. Also extensive documentation was required which was nearly impossible to obtain. In addition, visa approvals were delayed and Jews faced isolation and antisemitism. They were hated by Americans because they were a burden to the system. Americans disliked Jews because they took their jobs; due to the Depression, they were competing with equally desperate people. Also, the immigrants were willing to work for the lowest wages. Despite the outrage against the Jews, Americans did not encourage Jewish immigration.
The Golden Door
Ellis Island in New York was named the "golden door." It let numerous amounts of immigrants into the U.S.; people were searching for a better future. However, in 1924 the doors were tightly shut by federal immigrant quotas.
"I came to America because I heard the streets were paved with gold. When I got here, I found out three things: first, the streets weren't paved with gold; second, they weren't paved at all; and third, I was expected to pave them." ("Ellis Island: Realizing the American Dream," Town & Country)
Although this quote is from an Italian immigrant, it applies to all the immigrants who came during this period. Once they got to America, they discovered what it was really like.
According to the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, from 1939 to 1940 a little over half of the immigrants in the U.S. were Jewish refugees from Europe. In 1941, 45% of the immigrants were Jewish. Slowly, the Jewish immigrants dwindled down after the U.S. entered the war and Jews were being systematically murdered. This is an antisemitic poster relating Jews with Communism. it is basically shunning immigrant Jews from America by scaring them into believing that the Jews will bring Communism into America.
|
This newspaper article published by the New York Times is about a petition that the U.S. favored that would enable Great Britain to create a refuge for European Jews in Palestine. The U.S. favored it because they didn't want more Jewish immigrants in America.
|