The issue of immigration has been a divisive part of American History from the beginning of the nation under the Constitution in 1789.
Between the Presidency of George Washington and James Buchanan (1789-1861), the general policy was Pro Immigration, with the major exception of John Adams’ Presidency 1797-1801, where the Alien and Sedition Acts were signed and enforced.
Then, that discriminatory legislation was repealed under his successor, Thomas Jefferson (1801-1809), although Jefferson at times expressed concern about the trend of immigration expansion.
French immigration was the major issue that led Adams to support and sign limitations on immigrants, and enforcing a 14 year reqirement to apply for citizenship.
Later Presidents through James Buchanan encouraged immigration, although in the late 1840s and 1850s, there was growing nativism toward Catholic immigrants from Ireland and the German states.
This was based on fear of the Pope being a threat to the heavily Protestant religion of the vast majority of Americans.
So there were some urban riots and violence against the fear of Catholic migration.