Thomas Jefferson and Andrew Jackson are similar in their aspirations to achieve US independence from Britain, but most likely, their views on immigration policy would have been different. Even though during World War I, the number of immigrants decreased significantly, after its end, mass immigration to the United States resumed (“Historical Overview of Immigration Policy”). Consequently, the government had to take action to reduce the influx of immigrants into the US. It is worth noting that Thomas Jefferson would most likely have shown a penchant for ‘old immigration.’ These highly educated immigrants sought to integrate into American society and contributed to the development of the United States. On the other hand, Andrew Jackson’s policies regarding Native American tribes and the establishment of the Indian Removal Act suggest that the seventh US President would have supported establishing immigration quotas.
Obviously, for the development of the United States, the ‘old immigration’ was of greater importance than the ‘new.’ The ‘old’ immigrants had a high level of education and sought to assimilate and acculturate into American society and work for the country’s good. While the ‘new’ immigrants came to earn money and bring them to their homeland. Thomas Jefferson would probably testify in favor of allowing immigrants who wished to become American citizens to enter the United States. Considering that Andrew Jackson’s parents were immigrants from Ireland, one would also assume that his position would be similar. However, his activities give reason to believe that Jackson would have supported the quotas put forward by the Congressional Committee and would probably demand the eviction of immigrants who do not want to assimilate into American society.
Another person who would have his view on US immigration policy would be Alexander Hamilton. Even though he was not born in the United States, having immigrated to America, he quickly assimilated and sought to contribute to the country’s development. Therefore, it is likely that he would have supported the introduction of quotas and would have taken a position similar to Jefferson. That is, immigration, implying a person’s complete integration, assimilation, and acculturation, would probably be acceptable for Hamilton.
Work Cited
“Historical Overview of Immigration Policy.”Center for Immigration Studies.