What was the major consequence of the 1924 Immigration Act?

The major consequence of the 1924 Immigration Act was that it severely limited immigration from Southern and Eastern Europe. This legislation established national origin quotas that favored immigrants from Northern and Western Europe while significantly restricting those from Southern and Eastern European nations. As a result, many groups, including Italians, Poles, and Jews, faced substantial barriers in their attempts to enter the United States, reflecting the era's prevailing nativist attitudes and racial discrimination.

The act was rooted in the beliefs of the time that aimed to preserve the so-called "American" racial composition. By implementing these quotas, the law dramatically transformed the landscape of immigration, shaping the demographics of the immigrant population for decades to come. The emphasis on national origins underscored a broader context of exclusionary policies that would characterize U.S. immigration laws in the early 20th century.