The various responses and attitudes of people towards the influx of immigrants into a country. In the context of American history, it refers to how Americans reacted and responded to the arrival of large numbers of immigrants.
Related terms
Nativism: The belief that native-born citizens should have more rights and privileges than immigrants.
Chinese Exclusion Act: A law passed in 1882 that prohibited Chinese laborers from entering the United States for ten years.
Ellis Island: An island located in New York Harbor where millions of European immigrants were processed before being allowed entry into the United States.