America has been built on immigration, with each wave of newcomers bringing their own unique experiences, cultures, and talents to the country. From the early settlers who established the thirteen colonies, to the millions who arrived through Ellis Island in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, to the more recent immigrants who come from all over the world, the United States has been shaped by the contributions of those who sought a better life on its shores. Today, studying US immigration patterns and attitudes towards immigration is more important than ever. Immigration has profound economic, social, and political implications, and understanding how it affects the country is essential to making informed policy decisions.
In analyzing historical attitudes towards immigration in the United States, through a PESTEL report, we can uncover some of the important influences and trends that drive public opinions and policies. Understanding these trends of the past and present from each angle of the PESTEL will allow us to make predictions about the future of immigration: how our current political, economic, social, technological, and legal conditions connect to those of the past.