Summary
Less than two years after an anarchist assassin killed President McKinley, Congress enacted the Immigration Act of 1903 targeting anarchists for exclusion. This law codified earlier immigration restrictions, such as prohibitions against immigration by those deemed likely to become public charges (LPCs), leveling fees on arrivals to help pay for immigration services, and strengthening the government’s powers to pursue, round up, and deport anarchists found within the United States.
Source
CHAP. 1012.-An Act To regulate the immigration of aliens into the United States.
SEC. 2. That the following classes of aliens shall be excluded from admission into the United States . . . anarchists, or persons who believe in or advocate the overthrow by force or violence of the Government of the United States or of all government or of all forms of law, or the assassination of public officials . . . .
SEC. 38. That no person who disbelieves in or who is opposed to all organized government, or who is a member of or affiliated with any organization entertaining and teaching such disbelief in or opposition to all organized government, or who advocates or teaches the duty, necessity, or propriety of the unlawful assaulting or killing of any officer or officers, either of specific individuals or of officers generally, of the Government of the United States or of any other organized government, because of his or their official character, shall be permitted to enter the United States or any Territory or place subject to the jurisdiction thereof . . . .
SEC. 39. That no person who disbelieves in or who is opposed to all organized government, or who is a member of or affiliated with any organization entertaining and teaching such disbelief in or opposition to all organized government, or who advocates or teaches the duty, necessity, or propriety of the unlawful assaulting or killing of any officer or officers, either of specific individuals or of officers generally, of the Government of the United States or of any other organized government, because of his or their official character, or who has violated any of the provisions of this Act, shall be naturalized or be made a citizen of the United States…
Approved, March 3, 1903.
