"It can be said that American immigration started in 1607, when the first settlers joined the original colonists on the shores of America. Since then, people of every nation, ethnicity, and class have come to the United States, looking for freedom, prosperity, and stability. While originally immigrants flowed freely into the United States, over time many second- and third-generation Americans began to object to new arrivals competing for the same jobs and living quarters.

This resentment influenced legislation on immigration and quotas, as well as creating a hostile environment for people searching for the same dreams as had the parents and grandparents of the established Americans. While the issue is complex, immigration has always been a major influence on the United States, and even today, the country continues to be the land of opportunity for people from around the world."--BOOK JACKET.