Anti-immigration backlash – 100 years ago

+ don't expect quick action in ICC case against Israeli and Hamas leaders US Edition - Today's top story: A century ago, anti-immigrant backlash almost closed America’s doors [View in browser]( US Edition | 21 May 2024 [The Conversation] [The Conversation]( Top headlines - [State supreme court appointments can be at odds with voters’ wishes]( - [Mercedes workers in Alabama reject unionization]( - [It’s nearly hurricane season – time to understand wind shear]( Lead story Backlash against immigration. Concerns about America’s changing culture. Calls for legislation to keep foreigners out. Sound familiar? Given today’s political debates, it feels fitting that this month marks the 100th anniversary of a law that sharply reduced immigration. The Immigration Act of 1924 was passed after decades of increasing arrivals, especially from southern and eastern Europe – which nativist groups were especially alarmed about. But the law didn’t exactly slash immigration across the board. It pegged quotas for each country to the number of nationals who were in the U.S. in 1890, when immigration from outside western and northern Europe was much smaller. Matthew Smith, a historian at Miami University, unpacks how [immigration – and opinions about it – shifted over the course of the 19th century](, from anti-Catholic bias to the closing of the Western frontier. His story is a reminder of how complex the national discussions around immigration, assimilation and race were – and continue to be. [ [Sign up for our weekly Global Economy & Business newsletter, with interesting perspectives from experts around the world](. ] Molly Jackson Religion and Ethics Editor Immigrant children at Ellis Island in New York, 1908. National Archives/Wikimedia Commons [A century ago, anti-immigrant backlash almost closed America’s doors]( Matthew Smith, Miami University May 2024 marks the 100th anniversary of the Immigration Act of 1924, which sharply cut the number of people allowed into the US. Politics + Society - [ICC seeks arrest warrants for Benjamin Netanyahu, Yahya Sinwar and other Israeli and Hamas leaders – but this is unlikely to bring quick justice]( Victor Peskin, Arizona State University Prosecuting leaders indicted for war crimes is difficult. But the trial of Serbian leader Slobodan Milosevic in the early 2000s offers a potential playbook. - [In some states that say they elect judges, governors choose them instead]( Bryna Godar, University of Wisconsin-Madison; Harry Isaiah Black, University of Wisconsin-Madison In 2 states with judicial elections − Georgia and Minnesota − nearly every justice steps down midterm, allowing the governor to appoint a successor instead of the state holding an open election. Ethics + Religion - [For many American Jews protesting for Palestinians, activism is a journey rooted in their Jewish values]( Atalia Omer, University of Notre Dame Jewish activists have been central to protests against how Israel is conducting the war with Hamas, and not just on campuses – the movement goes back decades. Education - [Expansion of Asian American studies fueled by racial attacks and activism]( Pawan Dhingra, Amherst College After decades in the shadows, Asian American studies has expanded on college campuses. Science + Technology - [TikTok law threatening a ban if the app isn’t sold raises First Amendment concerns]( Anupam Chander, Georgetown University; Gautam Hans, Cornell University The law forcing TikTok to be sold or banned is meant to protect Americans from Chinese government influence and privacy intrusions. But does it undermine a bedrock American principle? Economy + Business - [United Auto Workers’ defeat at Mercedes’ Alabama plants underscores challenges for organized labor in Southern states]( Stephen J. Silvia, American University School of International Service The loss in Alabama doesn’t mean the UAW is done winning in the South. Arts + Culture - [Was Beethoven truly the greatest?]( Philip Ewell, Hunter College Deifying the composer and his work only serves to reinforce America’s white patriarchy at the expense of countless others who were no less great. Environment + Energy - [What is wind shear? An atmospheric scientist explains how it can tear down hurricanes]( Zachary Handlos, Georgia Institute of Technology Vertical wind shear can keep tropical storms in check, particularly during El Niño years. When El Niño is gone, ii’s often not as strong. International - [Julian Assange’s appeal to avoid extradition will go ahead. It could be legally groundbreaking]( Holly Cullen, The University of Western Australia The WikiLeaks founder has been granted leave to appeal the order to extradite him to the US. What happens now? Trending on site - [Iran crash: President Raisi’s death leaves Tehran mourning loss of regime loyalist]( - [Alcohol use disorder can be treated with an array of medications – but few people have heard of them]( - [California is about to tax guns more like alcohol and tobacco − and that could put a dent in gun violence]( Today's graphic 📈 [Federal regulations prohibit selling raw, or unpasteurized, milk across state lines. However, many states allow it to be sold within their borders. Some permit raw milk to be sold in retail stores, while elsewhere it is restricted to non-retail sources such as farms.]( From the story, [What is pasteurization? A dairy expert explains how it protects against foodborne illness, including avian flu]( - - More of The Conversation Like this newsletter? 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