Except for the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882, immigration laws were not restrictive until the 1920s. Because of the incredible growth of manufacturing during the last third of the 19th century, millions of people from Europe (but also other parts of the world) were welcomed as workers into the USA with few restrictions in the decades 1880-1920. In 1880, the population of the USA was approximately 50 million, and in 1920, the population was 106 million. So, during that 40 year period, our population grew by 56 million, which included an incredible 25 million immigrants plus their children and grandchildren. Emma Lazarus’ sonnet, which included the words, “Give me your tired, your poor/Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free” was added to the Statue of Liberty in 1903.
