The poem was wriiten to raise money for the pedestal that the Statue of Liberty stands on. It was never an official immigration policy. It has been used since to manipulate Americans' beliefs in equality and altruism for political gain.
THE LAST PARAGRAPH FROM THE SPEECH DEDICATING THE STATUE OF LIBERTY; OCTOBER 28, 1886; "THERE IS ROOM IN AMERICA AND BROTHERHOOD FOR ALL WHO WILL SUPPORT OUR INSTITUTIONS AND AID IN OUR DEVELOPMENT. BUT THOSE WHO COME TO DISTURB OUR PEACE AND DETHRONE OUR LAWS ARE ALIENS AND ENEMIES FOREVER."; SENATOR CHAUNCEY M. DEPEW