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Founders' Caution on Immigration
- Founders like Franklin and Jefferson prioritized assimilation and unity over mass immigration.
- They feared diversity and lack of common values could undermine Republican freedoms.
1920s Immigration Laws' Impact
- Early 20th-century immigration laws prioritized Northwestern European migrants and drastically limited immigration.
- This led to a decrease in foreign-born population and promoted assimilation within American society.
Diversity Not a Founding Value
- Diversity in ethnicity, as valued today, was not considered a founding value by the American founders.
- The 1790 Naturalization Act allowed only free whites to become citizens to preserve unity and Republican freedoms.