ABSTRACT
In 1995, certain powerful members of Congress mounted a strong campaign to restrict immigration generally; they also sought to make it more difficult for refugees to seek asylum in the United States. These efforts were not unique to the 104th Congress. For much of American history, with the exception of a brief, remarkable thaw from 1965 to 1990, lawmakers imposed ever-increasing limitations on immigration into the United States. Some of the restrictions, particularly those in effect during the 1930s, had a devastating effect on people who had been forced by the threat of persecution to flee their native lands.
