A Brief History
On July 23, 1900, the icon of national “niceness” that is Canada turned a cold shoulder to immigrants, instituting a policy forbidding paupers and criminals from entering the country. While the US currently has emotional discussion about immigration into the country, illegal and legal alike, the fact is many countries have struggled with immigration policy.
Digging Deeper
Religion, ethnicity, skin color, and cultural considerations have often affected immigration policies or the lack of welcome on the part of the current inhabitants. While many countries have a positive view of immigrants, Pew Research indicates many have a negative popular opinion of immigration, including South Africa, Israel, Poland, Russia, Italy, Greece, and Hungary.
France is somewhat ambiguous about immigrants, generally recognizing their contribution while a prevailing anti-immigrant opinion permeates society. China is not immune to immigration controversy, as the country becomes more international and an economic powerhouse, especially in light of Covid-19.
What do you think about immigration policies?
Question for students (and subscribers): Do countries have a right to limit or deny immigration? Please let us know in the comments section below this article.
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Historical Evidence
For more information, please see…
Caldwell, Christopher. Reflections on the Revolution In Europe: Immigration, Islam, and the West. Doubleday, 2009.
Daniels, Roger. Coming to America: A History of Immigration and Ethnicity in American Life. Harper Perennial, 2002.
The featured image in this article, Come to Stay, printed in 1880 in the Canadian Illustrated News, which refers to immigration to the “Dominion,” is in the public domain in Canada because its copyright has expired due to one of the following:
- 1. it was subject to Crown copyright and was first published more than 50 years ago, or
it was not subject to Crown copyright, and
- 2. it is a photograph that was created prior to January 1, 1949, or
- 3. the creator died prior to January 1, 1972.
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