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On a Temporary Basis: Immigration, Labor Unions, and the American Entertainment Industry, 1880s-1930s

2012; Oxford University Press; Volume: 99; Issue: 3 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1093/jahist/jas413

1945-2314

Kyoung-Hee Moon,

Migration, Ethnicity, and Economy

Foreigners were entering the United States and subsequently leaving with increased frequency throughout the nineteenth century.1 As they had in past generations, people continued to come to the United States to settle, but many migrants were not interested in remaining in the nation permanently or even for a long period. They came for short-term work—for a day, a few months, or a year—and after that time planned to go home or to move on to the next job in another country. For these individuals, the ability to enter the United States was at the forefront of their experience with federal authorities who had the ability to decide whether they met federal regulations for admittance. Complicating matters were the changeable immigration regulations implemented throughout this period: a person could legally enter the country at one time but then not at another. One particular group of foreigners who sought temporary admittance into the United States were entertainers. Whether crossing the border for one night to play at a dance or traversing the Atlantic Ocean to tour with a circus for the season, entertainers were often required to move to wherever they were able to find appreciative audiences. With improvements in transportation and the development of the entertainment industry during the nineteenth century, performers were able to travel greater distances and visit more communities in the United States than ever before. American audiences generally approved of having forms of entertainment and specific acts rotate through their areas frequently, forcing impresarios and their agents to be on the lookout for new talent from anywhere. The entertainment industry was willing to spend the time and money to recruit performers from overseas or across an international border if it meant big profits.