-
First Shipment of Slaves
This date marks the start of the American slave trade. As many of 20 million African slaves were imported on this first boat. Slavery became a huge contributor to the immigration into the United States. -
Naturalization Act of 1790
This legislation established regulations for naturalization and how immigrants would be granted citizenship. It dictated that only free white males with good character and who had been in the United States for at least two years would be granted citizenship. -
Congress Bans Importation of Slaves
This date was historic in decreasing immigration numbers from the slave trade. Congress banned the importation of slaves and other countries around the world followed suit. -
Homestead Act
This act promoted the influx of immigrants since it granted 160 acres of free land to any individual, regardless of gender or ethnicity, as long as they lived on the land for 5 years and maintained its agricultural development. -
Page Act of 1875
This law prevented any "undesirable" immigrant from entering into the U.S. More specifically, these "undesirable" immigrants were any Asian immigrants, any Asian woman who was a prostitute, and any convict from another country. -
Immigration Act of 1882
This act implemented a 50 cent tax and established other exclusionary criteria against passengers who seemed unable to provide for themselves. -
Chinese Exclusion Act
This law further developed the Page Act of 1875. It completely and entirely excluded Chinese immigrants into the United States. -
Period: to
Dilingham Constitution
This event was important for Mexican immigrants. There was a huge labor shortage in the Southwest and as a result Mexicans were hired as laborers and didn't have to pay "head taxes." -
Immigration Act of 1917
Once again, this legislation implemented further criteria necessary for immigrants to gain entry into the country. A passed literacy test was needed to gain access into the United States. -
Period: to
The Bracero Program
This was a huge law for Mexican immigrants. It guaranteed them basic human rights, wages, etc. As a result, immigration drastically increased. -
Immigration and Nationality Act of 1952
While this act allowed individuals of all races to be eligible for naturalization, it also sought to exclude immigrants from certain regions following WWII. It is also known as the McCarren-Walter Act. -
Immigration and Nationality Act of 1965
Abolished current quota systems that restricted how many immigrants were allowed into the country. -
Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986
This act legalized illegal aliens who had been living in the U.S. since before 1982. However, it also made it illegal to hire illegal immigrants knowingly. -
U.S.A. Patriot Act
After 9/11, this act created Homeland Security, strengthened border control, and required a machine readable passport. It heightened counter-terrorism measures. -
Arizona SB 1070
Crucial anti-immigration law that required police officers to determine the immigration of someone who is of "reasonable suspicion."
