Why did immigrants come to america in the late 1800s, and what was their experience?

Majority of immigrants that came to America in the 1800s on the east coast were Irish and German, and on the west coast many were Asian. The Irish came ot the United States because of the potato famines, while Germans came for religious freedom. Asians on the west coast came to trade and mine gold in California.

They were all discriminated against, and some political parties, such as the Know Nothing Party, were founded based on discrimination and nativism. Immigrants were often greatly stereotyped by nativists in America.

Hope this helps :)