f each wave: assimilation; economic effects; politics. Theories on assimilation have changed since the beginning of the 20th century. Previously, observers explained that immigrant cultures and ethnic identities fade rapidly upon arrival in the U.S. It was also argued that the culture shock of immigration has deleterious effects on immigrant families. In the past few decades these theories have swung to the other extreme. Now scholars contend that immigrant cultural identities do not rapidly fade, in fact they persist and help immigrants adjust to the challenges of their new environment. The reality of the situation is that the answer lies somewhere between these two extremes for both waves of emigration in the 20th century. Despite this reality, immigration law in the U.S. has continued to grow more complex and restrictive. Before 1875 only two laws existed pertaining to immigration. The first comprehensive immigration law was passed in the early 1920s and unfairly restricted immigration from non-European countries. In 1952, the Immigration and Nationality Act was passed and was the first time all immigration policy law was contained in one statute. The Act has been amended many times since them, but these amendments have continue to make immigration more complex and restrictive for those wishing to emigrate to the U.S., “The sweeping reforms in immigration law in 1990 and 1996 made the system of law and practice governing immigrant’s rights and obligations increasingly complex. The Illegal Immigration Reform and
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