When did May Day Turn Into an Immigrants’ Rights Day?
May Day has traditionally focused on labor and working class issues. Immigration and immigrant labor adds a new dimension to the holiday.
The 1917 Immigration Act That Presaged Trump’s Muslim Ban
Prohibitive laws like the 1917 Immigration Act barred many Asians from entering America. Cultural fears still determine who "deserves" to migrate.
Sanctuary Cities Are as Old as The Bible
Sanctuary cities like New York and Los Angeles protect undocumented migrants from deportation. The concept behind them has ancient and religious roots.
Papers, Please: The Invention of the Passport
Immigration and national security remain at the top of President Trump’s agenda. He issued a revised executive order ...
Migrant Rights in the Age of Surveillance
Charles Heller and Lorenzo Pezzani use digital technology and human testimonials to visualize human rights violations and to fight for migrant rights.
Immigration and National Security on George Washington’s Day
Presuming that immigration was a boon to national security, U.S. borders remained mostly open for the first century of the nation’s existence.
The Saturday Evening Girls’ Guide to Helping Immigrants Succeed
The “Saturday Evening Girls" was a Progressive-Era club that afforded urban, Jewish and Italian girls and women a chance at coveted social mobility.
The Historic Echoes of Trump’s Immigration Ban
Trump’s “Muslim ban” is not the first time the United States has attempted to prevent certain groups from entering the country.
The Curious History of Ellis Island
Ellis Island celebrates its 125th anniversary as the federal immigration depot. From 1892-1954, more than 12 million immigrants passed through the island.
The Genealogy of the Jewish Deli
The Jewish deli is a New York City tradition that has spread far beyond the city's limits. It's a tradition worthy of its own history.