• Cosmonauticus@lemmy.world
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    10 months ago

    No it didn’t. The US barred Asians from entering for multiple decades. This country has been anti immigrant(anti anyone not white moving here) since it’s inception

    • VikingHippie@lemmy.wtf
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      10 months ago

      This country has been anti immigrant(anti anyone not white moving here) since it’s inception

      Nah, until 1882, there was literally no restrictions for anyone moving to the US. If you could afford the journey or even successfully stow away on a ship or train or whatever, they’d let you in and let you stay.

      When it came to CITIZENSHIP, though, you’re right about the criteria being super racist from day one.

      • olympicyes@lemmy.world
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        10 months ago

        I went to the museum at Ellis island last year. It was surreal because here was a purpose built facility for processing immigrants, meanwhile Venezuelans were lined up on the streets in Manhattan waiting to be processed. There were a number of exhibits showing the racist attitudes of the Americans in the 1870s to 1880s demanding a curb on immigration. Was an educational experience.

        • VikingHippie@lemmy.wtf
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          10 months ago

          Those were originally citizenship restrictions only.

          Until 1882, there was no law to keep people of color (or white people, of course) out of the country, even as they were met with tons of discrimination and abuse and no rights.