Featuring
Donna Hylton
Author, Founder/CEO, A Little Piece of Light
“It’s going to take us as a whole of people. And I believe our collective consciousness is going to kick in at some point… because if we look back in history, it always took times of severe chaos, extreme unrest for things to start. So people can start waking up and to start saying no. And unfortunately, we’re going to have to go through this turbulence. But out of this turbulence can come a brighter future.”
Gemma Solimene
Associate Professor of Law, Fordham University
“…today we have over a million people who are admitted for lawful permanent residents. Each year we have 45 million individuals who come as temporary visitors. On the other hand, we have a history of laws that have excluded groups of people by ethnicity and race. We have a history of exclusion and deportation for political beliefs. We have a history of making immigrants scapegoats for our economic, political and other social problems in the United States.”
Mae Ngai
Professor, Asian American Studies, History, Columbia University
“You have long waiting lists, but the lists are longest from the countries, the biggest sending countries — Mexico, India, China, the Philippines. Those are the countries that have waiting lists [that] for visas that are 10, 15, 20 years long. And that is, to me, the single largest reason for undocumented migration. Because if you’re on a list for 20 years, you might think there’s an easier, maybe dangerous, but a quicker way to get into the country. So undocumented migration has very much to do with the imbalances in our visa system.”
Rose Cuison-Villazor
Professor of Law, Rutgers Law School
“Explicit race discrimination that we were seeing in all walks of life all across the United States. These three federal laws were designed to instantiate what we had hoped would be a a race, a race neutral, or even more so the hope was that it would completely try to undo it would attempt to undo all that that the legacy of race discrimination in in the United States.”
“The lesson of our times is sharp and clear in this movement of people from one land to another. Once again, it stamps the mark of failure on a regime when many of its citizens voluntarily choose to leave the land of their birth for a more hopeful home in America. The future holds little hope for any government where the present holds no hope for the people.”
President Lyndon B. Johnson (1965)
President Lyndon B. Johnson’s remarks at the signing of the Immigration and Nationality Act of 1965.
Origin Date: 10/03/1965
Location: Liberty Island, New York City, New York
Donna’s Story: A Call for Collective Action
In this deeply moving segment, Donna—once a child immigrant, survivor of abuse, and incarcerated woman—shares her powerful journey of resilience and transformation. From facing deportation despite being a naturalized citizen, to becoming a fierce advocate for women of color, Donna’s story serves as a testament to the unyielding strength of those who are marginalized and silenced.
Donna’s reflections highlight the intersection of trauma, immigration, and systemic racism, shedding light on the unique challenges faced by immigrants of color within the U.S. legal and immigration systems. Despite being naturalized as a child, Donna faced the real possibility of deportation after being incarcerated, revealing how precarious even “citizenship” can be for people of color.
But Donna’s story isn’t just about survival; it’s about action. She passionately calls for collective responsibility in fighting for justice and dismantling the systems that perpetuate inequality. As an advocate, she stresses that change will only come when every individual stands up, steps up, and speaks out against injustice—especially when it comes to the treatment of immigrants and communities of color in America. https://www.alittlepieceoflight.org/
The Immigration Act of 1924
The Immigration Act of 1924, also known as the Johnson-Reed Act, established national origins quotas, drastically limiting immigration to the U.S. It set limits on the number of immigrants from each country to 2% of the population from that nationality in the U.S. according to the 1890 census. This law effectively favored immigrants from Western and Northern Europe while severely restricting those from Southern and Eastern Europe and Asia.
Impact and Historical Context:
Before the 1924 Act, immigration to the U.S. was at an all-time high, with up to a million immigrants arriving annually in the decade before World War I. However, growing nativism and racial prejudice in the 1920s led to a push for stricter controls. The Act reduced immigration to just 150,000 people annually, an 85% drop from the previous decade.
The national origins quota system reflected the era’s racial and ethnic biases, prioritizing immigrants from Northern and Western Europe while severely limiting those from Southern and Eastern Europe, and excluding Asians entirely. This marked a shift toward an immigration policy based on racial and national preference.
Racial and Ethnic Implications:
The 1924 Act institutionalized racial discrimination in U.S. immigration policy. It reflected the belief that certain races and nationalities were more “desirable” than others, reinforcing racial hierarchies. The Act severely restricted immigration from countries like Italy, Poland, and Russia while maintaining open immigration for those from countries like Germany and Great Britain.
The 1924 Act had a lasting impact on U.S. immigration patterns, shaping the racial and ethnic composition of the country for decades. It wasn’t until the Immigration and Nationality Act of 1965 that the national origins quotas were repealed. The 1965 Act marked a significant shift by ending racial preferences in immigration and paving the way for more diversity in U.S. immigration flows.
The 1924 Immigration Act was a key moment in U.S. history, formalizing exclusionary policies based on race and nationality. While the Act was eventually replaced, it set the stage for future reforms and highlighted the need for a more inclusive immigration system. The 1965 Immigration Act directly responded to the discriminatory framework established by the 1924 law, marking a significant step forward in the fight for civil rights and equality.
The Alien and Sedition Acts of 1798
In recent years, former President Donald Trump has frequently referenced historical legislation to frame his political rhetoric, particularly on issues surrounding immigration. One such reference is the Alien and Sedition Acts of 1798, which were passed during the presidency of John Adams. These laws, especially the Alien Act, have been a point of contention due to their impact on immigrants and the political landscape of the time. Trump’s invocation of this act offers a lens through which we can examine the evolution of immigration policy in the United States and its contemporary relevance.
The Alien and Sedition Acts were a series of four laws passed in 1798 by the Federalist-controlled Congress, which were designed to strengthen national security amid fears of French influence during the French Revolutionary Wars. These laws included:
The Alien Act: This allowed the president to deport any foreign national deemed dangerous to the United States, or to detain them during wartime. It also increased the duration of residency required for immigrants to become naturalized citizens from 5 to 14 years.
The Alien Enemies Act: Authorized the president to arrest and deport male citizens of countries at war with the United States.
The Sedition Act: Made it a criminal offense to publish false or malicious writings against the U.S. government or its officials, though it was widely viewed as an infringement on free speech.
These laws were primarily directed at immigrants, especially those from France and other European countries, and were framed as necessary measures to protect national security. However, they were controversial for being used to target political opponents and suppress dissent, particularly among immigrants and supporters of Thomas Jefferson’s Democratic-Republican Party.
Trump’s Reference to the Alien Act
Donald Trump’s invocation of the Alien Act of 1798 during his presidency highlights the ongoing political and ideological debates surrounding immigration. In particular, Trump has framed immigration issues in terms of national security, invoking historical precedents to justify restrictive policies.
National Security: Much like the concerns of the late 18th century, Trump’s rhetoric often emphasizes the idea that immigrants—especially those from certain countries—pose a threat to American security. He has argued that controlling immigration is essential to safeguarding the nation from external threats, drawing parallels with the fears that shaped the Alien and Sedition Acts.
Deportation and Detention: The Alien Act empowered the president to deport immigrants deemed to be a threat. Trump’s administration took similar actions, expanding the scope of deportations, particularly targeting undocumented immigrants and those who were involved in criminal activities. The idea of “removing dangerous individuals” from the country echoes the sentiment of the Alien Act.
Restricting Immigration: The Trump administration took significant steps to limit immigration, such as the Muslim Ban, building a wall along the southern border, and enacting policies that made it more difficult for immigrants to seek asylum or permanent residency. Trump’s policies drew on the historical precedent of limiting the rights and access of immigrants in the name of national security.
2024 Presidential Debate
Vice President and Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris (R) shakes hands with former President and Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump during an ABC News presidential debate in Philadelphia, on Sept. 10, 2024.
Saul Loeb/AFP via Getty Images
A Vision for the Future of Immigration
As the debate over immigration policy continues to unfold, the need for a more inclusive and humane system is clearer than ever. While short-term solutions like visa reform and border policy changes are critical, there must also be a long-term commitment to addressing the underlying causes of migration, such as global wealth inequality and systemic injustice. A truly inclusive immigration system must recognize and address the racial inequities that have long been embedded in U.S. policy. Immigration laws and policies have historically been shaped by racist ideologies, often privileging white European immigrants while marginalizing people of color from the Global South. Racial injustice within immigration policy manifests in many forms, from disproportionate detention rates for people of color to systemic discrimination against non-white applicants.
For any immigration reform to be meaningful, it must center on racial justice. This includes ensuring equal treatment for all applicants, regardless of race, nationality, or socioeconomic background. Immigration policy must also actively dismantle structures of racial discrimination, particularly in how enforcement is carried out. Detention practices, family separations, and other punitive measures disproportionately affect communities of color, particularly Black and Latinx immigrants.
A fair immigration system values the dignity and humanity of every person, regardless of their race or country of origin. As the U.S. continues to shape its immigration policies, racial justice must be a guiding principle—ensuring that policies do not replicate historical patterns of exclusion and harm. The future of immigration should be rooted in justice, dignity, and equality. This vision requires both immediate reforms to improve the U.S. immigration system and a long-term commitment to addressing the broader global issues of economic inequality and racial injustice.
Ultimately, these reforms will not only help immigrants but will also strengthen the U.S. by recognizing the contributions of diverse communities and fostering a more inclusive society. Addressing immigration in this way will allow for a future where migration is seen as a natural and positive phenomenon, rather than a problem to be feared and controlled.
Resources
Brennan Center for Justice, Alien Enemies Act Explained, https://www.brennancenter.org/our-work/research-reports/alien-enemies-act-explained (last visited Dec. 20, 2024).
Cuison-Villazor, R., Rejecting Citizenship, 120 Mich. L. Rev. (2022), https://repository.law.umich.edu/mlr/vol120/iss6/8/.
Danticat, Edwidge, Opinion | Slander Against Haitian Americans is a Distraction, The Washington Post (2024), https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2024/09/17/slander-against-haitian-americans-is-distraction/.
Frelick, Bill, Racist Rhetoric, Anti-Haitian Actions in the U.S. Are No Joking Matter, Human Rights Watch (Sept. 17, 2024), https://www.hrw.org/news/2024/09/17/racist-rhetoric-anti-haitian-actions-us-are-no-joking-matter.
Hylton, Donna & Gasbarre, Kristine, A Little Piece of Light: A Memoir of Hope, Prison, and a Life Unbound (HarperOne 2018), https://www.amazon.com/Little-Piece-Light-Memoir-Unbound/dp/0316559253.
Millhiser, Ian, Trump’s Deportation Plan is a Recipe for Chaos, The Hill, https://thehill.com/opinion/immigration/4992787-trump-deportation-plan-immigration/ (last visited Dec. 20, 2024).
National Urban League, Project 2025 Is the New Southern Manifesto, https://nul.org/news/project-2025-new-southern-manifesto?gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjw99e4BhDiARIsAISE7P_DyY9hAA94idUReyX1RuaFZpP5F9dcQbZGVMRxZid3O1mJtXYcjl4aArL4EALw_wcB (last visited Dec. 20, 2024).
Ngai, Mae M., Impossible Subjects: Illegal Aliens and the Making of Modern America (Updated ed., Princeton Univ. Press 2014), https://www.amazon.com/Impossible-Subjects-Illegal-America-Politics/dp/0691160821.
How Should Historians Remember the 1965 Immigration and Nationality Act?, Organization of American Historians, https://www.oah.org/tah/august-2/how-should-historians-remember-the-1965-immigration-and-nationality-act/ (last visited Dec. 20, 2024).
Organizations Working for Immigration Reform:
Immigrant Legal Resource Center (ILRC)
Credits
Production
Written, edited, and produced by Ashley Acosta, Arjun S. Dasari, Jermaine Washington, and Brooke Greenwood.
A special thank you to our interviewees—Donna Hylton, Professors Rose Cuison-Villazor, Gemma Solimene, and Mae Ngai, our professors at Columbia Law School, Kendall Thomas and Flores Forbes, and our podcast production expert Michelle Wilson. Thank you as well to our classmates for their invaluable contributions.
Disclaimer: This podcast contains historical discussions and critical analyses of U.S. immigration policies and their effects. The views expressed by the guests do not necessarily reflect the views of the hosts or the institutions affiliated with this podcast.
Legal Materials, Articles, Books
Chinese Exclusion Act (1882), National Archives and Records Administration, https://www.archives.gov/milestone-documents/chinese-exclusion-act#:~:text=It%20was%20the%20first%20significant,immigrating%20to%20the%20United%20States
The Bracero Program: Prelude to Cesar Chavez and the Farm Worker Movement, National Archives and Records Administration, https://prologue.blogs.archives.gov/2023/09/27/the-bracero-program-prelude-to-cesar-chavez-and-the-farm-worker-movement/#:~:text=From%201942%20to%201964%2C%20millions,while%20only%20receiving%20meager%20wages
Immigration and Nationality Act, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (2019), https://www.uscis.gov/laws-and-policy/legislation/immigration-and-nationality-act (last visited Dec. 20, 2024).
Jerry Kammer, The Hart-Celler Immigration Act of 1965, CIS.org (2015), https://cis.org/Report/HartCeller-Immigration-Act-1965.
National Archives, Alien and Sedition Acts, https://www.archives.gov/milestone-documents/alien-and-sedition-acts
1964 Civil Rights Act, National Archives, https://www.archives.gov/milestone-documents/civil-rights-act
Immigration and the 1965 Act: A Transformative Shift in U.S. Policy, The Atlantic, https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2015/10/immigration-act-1965/408409/
Remarks on Signing the Immigration Act of 1965, Learning for Justice, https://www.learningforjustice.org/classroom-resources/texts/remarks-on-signing-the-immigration-act-of-1965
Video
Donald Trump Calls for Return to 1798 Alien Enemies Act, YouTube (Sept. 18, 2024), https://www.youtube.com/shorts/YafLkVTOtfM.
FULL REMARKS: Jim Gaffigan Shows No Mercy To Democrats Or Republicans At 2024 Al Smith Dinner, Forbes Breaking News, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p9ZGfyXruqs.
Harris vs. Trump in 2024 ABC News Presidential Debate | WSJ, YouTube (Oct. 30, 2024), https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VgsC_aBquUE.
Stephen Miller Says, ‘America Is For Americans And Americans Only,’ At Trump’s MSG Rally, YouTube (Nov. 10, 2024), https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uMUq40wzfP4.
‘A Little Piece Of Light’ Helps Formerly Incarcerated People, CBS New York, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z94bEw0bzao.
Trump’s Madison Square Garden Event Features Crude and Racist Insults, AP News, https://apnews.com/article/trump-madison-square-garden-new-york-election-fcfe75be7f8281fde7bffa3adb3bba5d.
Audio
“Arlan Vale” by Cauldron. Blue Dot Sessions. https://app.sessions.blue/browse/track/291490.
“Eyes on the Deep” by Whale Watcher. Blue Dot Sessions. https://app.sessions.blue/browse/track/291434.
“Plate Glass” by Glass Obelisk. Blue Dot Sessions. https://app.sessions.blue/browse/track/291440.
“Popsicle Sticks” by Cafe Dust. Blue Dot Sessions. https://app.sessions.blue/browse/track/291959
“Quarry Clouds” by Reflections. Blue Dot Sessions. https://app.sessions.blue/browse/track/291504.
“TK Barillo” by Show Notes. Blue Dot Sessions. https://app.sessions.blue/browse/track/291506.
“Und Galaxe” by Kroket. Blue Dot Sessions. https://app.sessions.blue/browse/track/291498.
CNN. Kelly: Separating Families Under Consideration. YouTube, uploaded by CNN, June 18, 2018. https://youtu.be/luvswjOAyPg.
Forbes Breaking News. Trump Promises to Invoke the Alien Enemies Act of 1798 to Take On Illegal Immigrant Criminal Gangs. Forbes, February 26, 2017. https://youtu.be/fmSIZY-kqmI.
Hylton, Donna. Women’s March Speech. Video uploaded by Leftat50.com. YouTube, January 21, 2017. https://youtu.be/weIo6gZC3Rg.
Lyndon B. Johnson. Signing of the Immigration and Nationality Act of 1965. Lyndon Baines Johnson Library. https://www.lbjlibrary.org/object/audio/signing-immigration-and-nationality-act-0 (3:39 – 4:07).