Origins of Undocumented Immigration
Patrick Ettinger talked about his book Imaginary Lines: Border Enforcement and the Origins of Undocumented Immigration, 1882-1930, in which he shares the origins of immigrant smuggling and illicit entry on the northern and southern U.S. borders from 1882-1930, at a time when English, Irish, Chinese, Italian, Russian, Lebanese, Japanese, Greek, and, later, Mexican migrants created various "backdoors" into the country.
Description
Patrick Ettinger talked about his book, "Imaginary Lines: Border Enforcement and the Origins of Undocumented Immigration, 1882-1930", in which he shares the origins of immigrant smuggling and illicit entry on the northern and southern U.S. borders from 1882-1930, at a time when English, Irish, Chinese, Italian, Russian, Lebanese, Japanese, Greek, and, later, Mexican migrants created various “backdoors” into the country.
Bell Ringer Assignment
- Why were immigrants coming to the U.S.?
- Describe their experience once they arrived in the country.
- Explain the consequences of the immigration restrictions that were put in place.
- Explain the role steamships played in immigration.
- What was the problem the U.S. faced in terms of immigration restrictions?
- Explain the challenge for people who worked along the borders.
- Explain what Robert Watchorn discovered through his investigations along the border. What impact did his report have?
- According to Patrick Ettinger, how effective was the idea of "sealing the border?"
Participants
Vocabulary
- Anarchist
- Bureaucrat
- Ellis Island
- Immigration Act Of 1903
- Migration
- Polygamist
- Robert Watchorn