Cameron Miranda
Former US President Theodore Roosevelt is known for his ambivalent views on Islam and his promotion of marginalized religious groups. In 1905, Roosevelt spoke of the need to keep out immigrants who will not make good American citizens. In 1906, he called on Congress to have the power to deal radically and efficiently with polygamy, which was seen as a direct attack on the Ottoman Empire and the practice of Islam. The Immigration Act of 1907, signed into law by Roosevelt, banned polygamists, or persons who admit their belief in the practice of polygamy, effectively prohibiting the entry of Muslims into the United States. While the law did not specifically mention Islam, it was viewed as a ban on Muslim immigration and sparked furious protests from Muslims around the world. Roosevelt's legacy is complex, and while he promoted religious tolerance for some groups, his views on Islam and his support for legislation that impacted Muslim immigration reflect a more nuanced reality.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name of the law | Immigration Act of 1907 |
| Signed into law by | President Theodore Roosevelt |
| Date signed into law | February 20, 1907 |
| Aim | Restricting the increasing number and groups of immigrants coming into the U.S. before World War I |
| Targeted | Muslims, Chinese, imbeciles, feeble-minded persons, epileptics, idiots, and those with certain diseases |
| Prohibited entry to | "Polygamists, or persons who admit their belief in the practice of polygamy" |
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What You'll Learn
The Immigration Act of 1907
Section 11 of the Act focused on preventing the entry of diseased persons by stipulating that a medical examiner could turn away the infected person and any other immigrant accompanying them. Section 2 expanded the definition of moral character, adding to the political provision of 1903 by banning "persons who have been convicted of or admit having committed a felony or other crime or misdemeanor involving moral turpitude; polygamists, or persons who admit their belief in the practice of polygamy, anarchists, or persons who believe in or advocate the overthrow by force or violence of the Government of the United States, or of all government, or of all forms of law, or the assassination of public officials; persons coming for immoral purposes...".
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Muslims deemed not good American citizens
In 1905, President Theodore Roosevelt stated in his State of the Union address that Congress needed to be able to "deal radically and efficiently with polygamy". This was followed by the Immigration Act of 1907, which banned "polygamists, or persons who admit their belief in the practice of polygamy". Although the law did not specifically mention Muslims, it was believed that it would prohibit the entry of the "entire Mohammedan world" into the United States. This was because, at the time, Islam was associated with polygamy, which went against prevailing US gender and family norms. As a result, Muslims were deemed unfit for US citizenship.
The belief that Muslims could not be good American citizens was also influenced by the perception that Islam was fundamentally in conflict with American values. Roosevelt himself described Muslims as "enemies of civilization", and wrote about the "murderous outbreak of Moslem brutality". He also praised historical figures for throwing back the "Moslem conquerors" whose depredations had caused Christianity to "practically vanish" from Europe and Australia.
While there was no official policy of discrimination against Muslims during the naturalization process, in practice, Muslim immigrants were scrutinized more closely than their Christian and Jewish counterparts. They were also required to renounce any belief in the practice of polygamy and, in some cases, change their names to prove that they were not "undesired aliens and non-citizens".
Even today, Muslims in the United States continue to face challenges and concerns about their place in society. They are more likely to be the target of anti-immigration policies and are often viewed with suspicion and prejudice. For instance, in 2024, the Supreme Court upheld the Trump administration's third Muslim ban, prohibiting the entry of nationals from several Muslim-majority countries.
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Roosevelt's anti-Islam rhetoric
Theodore Roosevelt's anti-Islam rhetoric was evident in his characterisation of Muslims as "enemies of civilization". In his writings, Roosevelt praised historical figures like Charles Martel and John Sobieski for their victories over the "Moslem conquerors", whom he blamed for the decline of Christianity. He also casually referred to "the murderous outbreak of Moslem brutality", demonstrating a lack of sensitivity towards Islamic reform movements in countries like Egypt.
Roosevelt's negative views on Islam influenced his immigration policies as President. In his 1905 State of the Union address, he expressed the need to "keep out all immigrants who will not make good American citizens". This sentiment laid the groundwork for the Immigration Act of 1907, which banned "polygamists, or persons who admit their belief in the practice of polygamy". While this law did not specifically mention Islam, it effectively prohibited the entry of Muslims into the United States, as polygamy is a practice associated with some Muslims.
The Immigration Act of 1907 was an extension of existing legislation banning polygamists from entering the country. The 1907 Act, however, went further by targeting not just those who practised polygamy but also those who believed in it. This distinction was significant because it meant that even Muslims who did not personally practise polygamy would still be banned from entering the country if they admitted a belief in the practice.
Roosevelt's anti-Islam stance was not merely a matter of personal opinion but also a reflection of the broader societal context. At the time, Islam was often portrayed as a threat to American values, and Muslims were seen as deceptive and disingenuous about their religious beliefs. Roosevelt's immigration policies, therefore, resonated with a significant portion of the American public, who viewed Muslims with suspicion and believed that Islam was incompatible with American culture.
Despite Roosevelt's anti-Islam rhetoric and the discriminatory impact of his immigration policies, it is important to note that the laws were not explicitly designed to target Muslims. Instead, they were part of a broader effort to restrict immigration and maintain particular social and religious norms within the United States. Nonetheless, the laws had a disproportionate impact on Muslims, contributing to their marginalisation and exclusion from American society.
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Muslim protests
Muslims at the time were furious over this bill, which originated with advocacy by Roosevelt, whom they viewed as a "headstrong and loudmouthed Republican in the White House". The bill offended the Ottoman Empire, the Caliphate of Islam, which was soon to be defeated by America and the West. Protests against this bill and Roosevelt's anti-Muslim sentiments were likely, but specific details are not readily available.
In more recent times, Muslim protests have continued against various bans and discriminatory policies. In the wake of the Muslim Ban affecting seven Muslim countries, implemented by the Trump administration, thousands of people gathered at San Francisco Airport (SFO) to protest. This peaceful gathering included people from various backgrounds, religions, and ethnicities, uniting in support of their Muslim fellow citizens.
Protesters brought food, fruits, and water to share, forming a large heart and chanting together. Despite the divisive nature of the Muslim Ban, these protests brought people together, awakening memories of past discrimination and a united resistance against hate. The Muslim Ban has impacted not just Muslims but also Hispanics, Jewish Americans, and the LGBTQ+ community, uniting various groups in resistance.
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Muslim bans today
Muslim Ban Today
In recent years, there has been a significant amount of discussion and controversy surrounding the topic of a "Muslim ban" in the United States. This refers to a series of executive actions and orders issued by President Donald Trump, targeting immigration and refugees from certain Muslim-majority countries. The issue has provoked widespread condemnation, protests, and legal challenges, with critics arguing that it amounts to religious discrimination.
The first of these orders, Executive Order 13769, titled "Protecting the Nation from Foreign Terrorist Entry into the United States," was signed on January 27, 2017. It imposed a travel ban on seven Muslim-majority countries: Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, and Yemen. The order also included provisions that suspended the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program for 120 days and indefinitely banned Syrian refugees. This order was blocked by various courts and was replaced by Executive Order 13780 on March 6, 2017, which removed Iraq from the list of banned countries and exempted those with valid visas and green cards.
The issuance of these orders sparked outrage and resistance from individuals and organizations across the country. Protests erupted at airports and in cities, with people from all walks of life gathering to stand in solidarity with those affected by the ban. Legal challenges were mounted, with several courts blocking the enforcement of the orders and ruling that they likely violated constitutional protections. Despite these efforts, the Supreme Court allowed the third and latest version of the ban, known as "Muslim Ban 3.0," to remain in effect while legal challenges were ongoing.
The impact of these bans extended beyond travel restrictions. They contributed to a climate of fear and uncertainty for Muslims in the United States, raising concerns about discrimination and targeting. The bans also had consequences for family reunification, as refugees were separated from their spouses and children. The ban was particularly distressing for long-term Muslim residents and citizens of the U.S., who felt a sense of dismay and struggle in the face of rising Islamophobia and misconceptions about their community.
While the Muslim bans of today differ in their specific details and legal framework from the immigration policies of Theodore Roosevelt's era, they share a common thread of targeting and impacting the Muslim community. Roosevelt's immigration policies, driven by his negative views of Islam, effectively banned Muslims from entering the United States by prohibiting polygamists, which was seen as a way to exclude the "entire Mohammedan world." Today's Muslim bans, while not explicitly based on religion, have had a similar effect, impacting travel and resettlement for millions of Muslims and shaping public perception and treatment of the Muslim community in the United States.
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Frequently asked questions
Theodore Roosevelt did not create a law that explicitly banned Muslims. However, in 1907, he signed the Immigration Act, which banned "polygamists, or persons who admit their belief in the practice of polygamy". This was seen as targeting Muslims, as the practice is accepted by some Muslims.
In his 1905 State of the Union address, Roosevelt spoke of the need to "keep out all immigrants who will not make good American citizens". He also described Muslims as "enemies of civilization".
Muslims were furious with the law, as it effectively prohibited the entry of all followers of Islam into the United States. The Ottoman Empire, a Caliphate of Islam, protested the law.
Yes, Roosevelt wrote and spoke casually of "the murderous outbreak of Moslem brutality". He also denounced the murder of a Coptic Christian political leader by a Muslim and warned against such violent bigotry.
Roosevelt's actions set a precedent for future anti-Muslim sentiment and policies in the United States. For example, the Muslim Ban implemented by Roosevelt's successors has been described as a "tidal wave of hate".
