From the late nineteenth century the US reputation as a ‘haven for the huddled masses yearning to be free’ underwent serious modifications. Alongside increasing restrictionism on immigra-tion, federal and state agencies developed which put into operation policies and practices in policing the political activities of refugees, aliens and exiles. Although this article will focus principally on post-1945 developments relating to admission, policing and postentry controls of politically active refugees, aliens and exiles, it will seek to place the subject in its historical perspective. It will be argued that while refugee flows and exile politics have shifted from a second world to a third world issue, this has not until recently led to any fundamental reconsideration of the issues involved. However, the fact that more recent immigrants and refugee flows have not stirred any major feelings of anti-alienism which have marked previous debates could reflect a greater sense of security at global level, arising, perhaps from hegemonic status. © Frank Cass & Co. Ltd. 1990

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Political Activity policy enforcement USA Migration Policy