Final answer:
Most immigrants faced prejudice due to differences in language and customs, fear of job loss, and xenophobia. Hostility was particularly strong against immigrants from Southern and Eastern Europe in late 19th and early 20th centuries. This was further compounded by nativist movements and discriminatory legislation.
Step-by-step explanation:
The factors that contributed to the anti-immigrant prejudice most immigrants faced included differences in language and customs, the fear of loss of jobs, and prejudice against non-natives. These factors led to tensions and discrimination against new immigrants, particularly in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Immigrants from Southern and Eastern Europe, such as Jewish, Greek, Italian, Russian, Polish, and Slavic individuals, faced hostility due to their distinct cultures, languages, and religions.
Established residents and nativists often feared job competition and clung to xenophobic sentiments, scapegoating immigrants for broader societal issues. Despite the legislative attempts to restrict immigration, such as literacy tests, President Grover Cleveland vetoed an immigration law, balancing between business interests seeking inexpensive labor and the nativist pressures.