Which immigrant population was targeted by the Emergency Quota Act of 1921?

The Emergency Quota Act of 1921 was designed specifically to limit immigration from certain regions, particularly targeting immigrants from Southern and Eastern Europe. This legislation introduced numerical quotas that restricted the number of immigrants allowed entry based on their national origin, with the intention of preserving the racial and ethnic composition of the United States at the time. The act established a system that favored immigrants from Northern and Western Europe while severely limiting those from Southern and Eastern European countries, reflecting the nativist sentiments prevalent in America during that period. This focus on reducing Southern and Eastern European immigration was part of a broader trend towards restrictionist immigration policies, as these groups were often viewed with suspicion and characterized as less desirable by segments of the American population.