Immigration Act of 1917

The Immigration Act of 1917, passed by the U.S. Congress, significantly restricted immigration by imposing new barriers. It expanded the list of inadmissible groups, including people with mental disabilities, epileptics, and individuals from parts of Asia like India and the Middle East, effectively blocking many from entering the U.S. It also introduced the "literacy test," requiring immigrants to read and write in their native language or English to be allowed entry. The law aimed to limit immigration of undesirable groups while regulating and controlling who could enter the country, reflecting attitudes toward immigration and race at the time.