"Immigrant Aid and the Volunteer Worker" by Bruce M. Mohler
The Emergency Quota Act of 1921 and the Johnson-Reed Act of 1924 made it difficult for immigrants to enter America and become citizens. Because of the large immigrant population in the American Catholic Church, American bishops thought it was necessary to create the Bureau of Immigration to provide assistance to immigrants free of charge, re-unite families, and fight discriminatory legislation. Bruce M. Mohler was the director of the National Catholic Welfare Conference's Department of Immigration from 1920-1967. Mohler was named director because of his assistance helping Polish refugees during his army service in World War I.
As you read the document, address the following questions:
- What, according to Molher, is the most important goal for helping immigrants in the follow-up phase?
- What are the topics of the card forms that Mohler discusses, and what is the importance of these forms?
- What are the primary objectives of volunteer immigrant activity?
- Why are recreation activities so important for the young immigrant, according to Mohler?
- Generally, what does this document say about how Catholics treated immigrant groups? Discuss the balance between assimilation and keeping their Catholic religion.