The quota system refers to a policy that limits and controls immigration by setting numerical limits on how many individuals from specific countries can enter the United States within a given period.
Related terms
National Origins Act (1924): A law passed by Congress that further restricted immigration based on nationality, favoring immigrants from Northern European countries.
Naturalization Act (1790): The first federal law enacted in the United States regarding citizenship and naturalization.
Chinese Exclusion Act (1882): An act passed by Congress that prohibited all immigration of Chinese laborers.