First-generation Italian immigrants faced numerous challenges when they came to the United States in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Discrimination and defamation were among the most significant challenges that they had to deal with.

One of the primary forms of discrimination that Italian immigrants faced was racial prejudice. Many Americans at the time believed that Italians were racially inferior and inherently prone to criminal behavior. This stereotype was reinforced by the media, which often depicted Italians as violent and dangerous. This led to discrimination in employment, housing, and education, making it difficult for Italian immigrants to improve their economic status.