World War II; 1940s

The immigration rate in America decreased because of the war. Americans didn’t want Jews entering the United States. They felt that letting them enter the country would make the United States look like they wanted to help the Jews in the war. Americans felt that they had already helped the Jews enough by letting a certain amount enter the country and didn’t want any more entering America. Only 124,000 Jews entered the United States from 1929 to 1945. At the time the United States wasn’t involved in the war and didn’t want to get involved in the war. They avoided going into the war because they were in a depression and wanted to focus on their own problems.

Displaced Persons Act of 1948 was passed to help victims of persecution by the Nazi government. The individuals being helped were granted permanent residency and employment. Their families could come with them to America as long as they were “good” citizens, meaning that they could stay out of jail and provided financially for themselves and their families without public help. Orphans under 16 would be cared for by the United States.

After World War II, immigration increased because of technological improvements of land and air travel. Jewish families came to America in search of jobs and to get away from the destruction in Europe.