American Immigration and Citizenship Conference records

Collection

Identifier: SW 128

Staff Only

Scope and Content

The American Immigration and Citizenship Conference records include materials reflecting the Conference's efforts to monitor and influence federal government policies—in particular, efforts to replace or revise the national origins quota system and to liberalize policy on admission of refugees. They also document information-sharing and coordinating activities for organizations and agencies advocating the reform of immigration and naturalization policy.

The records are arranged in three series that reflect the three different organizations. Boxes 1 through 5 contain records of the National Council on Immigration and Citizenship for the period 1932-1960. Boxes 6 through 10 contain records of the American Immigration Conference for the period 1954-1960. Boxes 11 through 21 contain records of the American Immigration and Citizenship Conference for the period 1960-1968.

In general, the records reflect efforts to monitor and influence federal government policies, particularly efforts to replace or revise the national origins quota system, and to liberalize policy on admission of refugees.

Dates

Creation: 1932-1968

Language of Materials

English

Use of Materials

Open for use in Social Welfare History Archives reading room.

Copyright

Please contact the Archivesfor copyright information.

Historical Note

The American Immigration and Citizenship Conference (AICC) and its predecessors, the National Council on Naturalization and Citizenship (NCNC) and the American Immigration Conference (AIC), shared information with and coordinated the activities of organizations and agencies concerned with a more humane, nondiscriminatory immigration and naturalization policy.

The National Council on Naturalization and Citizenship was formed in 1930 as an association of organizations and individuals who sought to reform naturalization laws and regulations. The Council advocated policies and procedures that were humane, uniform, and simple. Among its prominent leaders were Ruth Z. Murphy, Read Lewis, Abram Orlow, and Frank Orlow. The American Immigration Conference was formed in 1954 by representatives of thirty-one immigration-related organizations and agencies who sought a more humane, nondiscriminatory alternative to the existing national origins quota system. In 1960, the two organizations, which already shared many officers and activities, merged to form the American Immigration and Citizenship Conference.

The American Immigration and Citizenship Conference served as a clearinghouse of information and coordinated activities for organizations and agencies committed to reforming immigration policy. Its efforts were recognized as influential in shaping the Immigration and Naturalization Act of 1965. In addition to monitoring legislation and administrative regulations, AICC committees conducted studies on the integration of immigrants and education for citizenship tests. In 1982, AICC became a part of the National Immigration Forum.

More information on the history of the three organizations is available in Romanofsky, Peter, ed. Social Service Organizations (The Greenwood Encyclopedia of American Institutions). Westport, CT: 1978. 87-92, 519-23.

Extent

26 Linear Feet

Additional Description

Abstract

The American Immigration and Citizenship Conference records include materials relating to the Conference's efforts to monitor and influence federal immigration policies, especially efforts to replace or revise the national origins quota system and to liberalize policy on the admission of refugees.

Arrangement of Records

The American Immigration and Citizenship Conference records are arranged into three series:

Series 1. National Council on Naturalization and Citizenship
Series 2. American Immigration Conference
Series 3. American Immigration and Citizenship Conference

Physical Location

The American Immigration and Citizenship Conference records are stored off site and require 3 business days for retrieval.

Other Finding Aid

Unpublished inventory available. Please contact Archives for more information.

Acquisition Information

The records were received as a gift of the American Immigration and Citizenship Conference in 1968 and 1975, through a referral to the Social Welfare History Archives by Professor Rudolph Vecoli of the Immigration History Research Center at the University of Minnesota.