-
The Naturalization act of 1790
The first law and attempt to control immigrants.This citizenship was only granted to free white citizens. All other races and slaves were excluded. In 1795 a change was made: to become a citizen one must live in America for 5 years which is still used today. -
The Great Famine
From about 1845-1850 began an increase of immigrant migration to the U.S. Immigrant population had doubled since 1840. This was due to the German crop failures and Irish potato farms were wiped out. -
Mexican-American War
The war between America and Mexico caused an abundance of Mexican citizens to become American citizens due to the acquisition of land. Roughly 80,000 Mexicans became American citizens. -
Ellis Island
In the early 1880's, immigrants poured into the country for work. Many were chasing "The American Dream". In Janruary 1892, Ellis Island had opened. It was the first immigrant depot in the U.S. -
English Language Requirement
Immigrants are required to know basic English in order to become citizens. -
Immigration Act of 1917
A law passed in 1917 that restricted the immigration of "undesirable" people from other countries. Also required a literacy test. -
Immigration Act of 1924
The Immigration Act of 1924 limited the number of immigrants allowed entry into the United States through a national origins quota. -
Nationality Act of 1940
An act to revise and codify the nationality laws of the United States into a comprehensive nationality code. -
Immigration/Nationality Act of 1952
Otherwise known as the McCarran-Walter Act, the Immigration and Nationality Act of 1952 was meant to exclude certain immigrants from immigrating to America, post World War II and in the early Cold War. -
Operation Wetback
Operation Wetback was a repatriation project of the United States Immigration and Naturalization Service to remove undocumented Mexican immigrants (pejoratively referred to as "wetbacks") from the Southwest. -
Immigration Refrom & Control Act
This law was passed in 1986 in order to control and deter illegal immigration to the United States. -
1990 Immigration Act
This bill allowed for an increase of immigrants seeking visas. It also limited unskilled workers to a certain amount of money a year. -
Illegal Immigration Reform & Immigrant Responsibility
Passed in 1996 as an effort by Congress to strengthen and streamline U.S. immigration laws. The Act was designed to improve border control by imposing criminal penalties for racketeering, alien smuggling and the use or creation of fraudulent immigration-related documents and increasing interior enforcement by agencies charged with monitoring visa applications and visa abusers. -
LIFE Act
Created a way for family members of immigrants to become permanent residents, and also gave family members temporary visas in order to stay together rather than be split up while waiting for an immigrant visa. -
DREAM Act
Would allow a pathway for young undocumented immigrants to become citizens, but did not pass on a federal level. Some states have their own tuition equality laws for illegal immigrants.
