Which immigrants were the primary targets of the National Origins Act?

The National Origins Act of 1924 primarily targeted immigrants from Southern and Eastern Europe, particularly those from countries such as Italy, Poland, and Russia. It aimed to drastically reduce Immigration from these regions, reflecting the nativist and xenophobic sentiments of the time. The Act also established a quota system that favored immigrants from Northern and Western Europe, reinforcing racial and ethnic hierarchies in U.S. immigration policy. Overall, it sought to preserve the demographic composition of the United States in favor of those deemed more "desirable" by the lawmakers.