What was the "Know-Nothing" party's view on immigration?

The "Know-Nothing" party, officially known as the American Party, emerged in the 1850s as a nativist political group that was fundamentally anti-immigrant in its ideology. Their main concern was the increasing number of immigrants, particularly from Ireland and Germany, who they believed were threatening the American way of life and the cultural and political dominance of native-born Americans. The party advocated for restricting immigration and sought to limit the political influence of immigrants, particularly Catholics, whom they viewed with suspicion. By fostering a climate of nativism, the Know-Nothing party aimed to maintain what they saw as traditional American values and resist foreign influences. Their platform included measures such as longer naturalization processes and restrictions on immigrants holding public office, indicating a strong desire to curtail immigrant involvement in politics. This clearly aligns with the view represented in the answer choice, highlighting the party's anti-immigrant stance.