Research Question How have immigration policies, economic opportunities, and racial dynamics shaped the experiences of Ellis Island-era immigrants compared to post-1965 JFK-era immigrants in New York City?
USA Immigrants 1830 -2024
Conclusion Foner’s From Ellis Island to JFK makes it clear that while immigrants from both waves sought opportunity, their experiences were shaped by race, policy, and economics in very different ways. Ellis Island immigrants, despite initial discrimination, were eventually absorbed into whiteness and gained access to social mobility, whereas post-1965 immigrants—many from Latin America, the Caribbean, and Asia—have continued to face systemic racial barriers that impact their economic progress and social standing. Immigration has always been a defining force in New York, but the path to success has never been equal. Understanding these patterns helps us see that today’s immigration struggles are not new—they are part of a long history of exclusion, adaptation, and resilience.
