During what period did the U.S. experience a significant rise in anti-immigrant sentiment leading to strict quotas?

The 1920s marked a pivotal time in U.S. immigration history, characterized by a notable rise in anti-immigrant sentiment. This period witnessed the implementation of restrictive immigration quotas, primarily through the Emergency Quota Act of 1921 and the Immigration Act of 1924. These laws established strict limits on the number of immigrants allowed into the United States, heavily favoring immigrants from Northern and Western Europe while severely restricting those from Southern and Eastern Europe, as well as from Asia.

The context for this rise in sentiment was complex, stemming from a combination of economic factors, social changes, and cultural anxieties post-World War I. Many Americans felt threatened by the influx of immigrants, associating them with competition for jobs and perceived changes in American social values. Additionally, the influence of eugenics and nativist groups contributed to the growing belief that certain ethnic groups were less desirable.

This period ultimately shaped U.S. immigration policy for decades to come, establishing a framework that would affect immigration patterns and discussions around race and nationality well into the future.