The correct answer is C) close to people of similar ethnicities, cultures, and religions.
The usual settlement pattern of immigrants was "close to people of similar ethnicities, cultures, and religions."
This made sense because immigrants left their native countries for many reasons. It could be religious or political persecution, lack of opportunities, poverty, or hunger. When they emigrated to the United States looking for better living conditions for their families, they wanted to be close to other people form the same former country. Immigrants were now in a different country, with a different culture, so far away from their native nations. So it was logical that they looked to establish close, next to, or with their people.