Why were nativists worried by the boom in immigration?

Nativists were concerned about the boom in Immigration because they believed it threatened American cultural identity and social cohesion. They feared that an influx of immigrants would lead to job competition, lower wages, and increased strain on public services. Additionally, many nativists held prejudiced views that portrayed immigrants as undesirable or unassimilable, leading to a rise in xenophobia and calls for restrictive immigration policies. This anxiety often stemmed from a desire to preserve what they perceived as a traditional American way of life.