Occupational opportunities and economic mobility: Immigrants often found employment in low-paying, labor-intensive industries such as manufacturing, mining, and construction. However, over time, they gradually gained access to better-paying jobs and experienced upward economic mobility.
Urbanization and the formation of ethnic enclaves: Many immigrants settled in urban centers such as New York City, Chicago, and Boston. They often established ethnic enclaves or neighborhoods where they could preserve their cultural traditions and support networks.
Discrimination and prejudice: Despite their contributions to American society, immigrants faced discrimination and prejudice from the dominant white population. This included restrictive immigration laws, racial profiling, and violence against immigrant communities.
Nativism and anti-immigrant sentiment: In response to the influx of immigrants, nativist movements emerged, promoting the idea that native-born Americans were superior to immigrants. Anti-immigrant sentiment led to restrictive immigration policies, such as the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882 and the Immigration Act of 1924, which favored immigrants from Northern Europe.