-
Colonial Migration
English colonists land in Jamestown, Virginia. -
U.S. Immigration Naturalization Act
Any free white person could receive citizenship if they declared their separation from their previous state or sovereignty, lived in the United States for 5 years, were a man of good character, and gave up any title that they had in their previous state or sovereignty. -
John Adams Passes the Naturalization Act
This was the first of four acts apart of the Alien and Sedition Acts. This act increased requirements for immigrants to apply and qualify for citizenship. This law required immigrants to live in the US for 14 years rather than the initial 5. -
The Steerage Act
Called for the regulation of passenger-ships and vessels. This was the first step in reforming passenger trade into America. -
Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo
"The Treaty of Peace, Friendship, Limits and Settlement between the United States of America and the Mexican Republic". This treaty officially ended the Mexican-American war after Mexico surrendered and gave up 525,000 square miles of land to the U.S. Mexico also gave up all ownership of Texas. -
Homestead Act
This act encouraged Western migration through the distribution of 160 acres of public land. People had to live on the land for five years before they could officially claim ownership of it. -
First Congressional Attempt to Centralize Control of Immigration
"A Commissioner of Immigration was appointed by the President to serve under the authority of the Secretary of State then, Authorized immigrant labor contracts whereby would-be immigrants would pledge their wages to pay for transportation." -
Naturalization Act of 1870
This act extends naturalization to former slaves or persons of African descent. -
Chinese Exclusion Act
Signed by President Chester A. Arthur, prohibited all immigration of Chinese laborers. -
Ellis Island Opens
Ellis Island became the first official federal immigration station and acted as an immigrant entry checkpoint. -
14th Amendment Confirmation
U.S. Supreme Court confirms 14th amendment gives citizenship to all persons born in the U.S. -
Bureau of Immigration and Naturalization
Naturalization Act creates the Bureau of Immigration and Naturalization -
Expatriation Act
Americans who became citizens of another country and naturalized immigrants who lived abroad for too long would have their status as a U.S. citizen would be revoked. -
Angel Island
Angel Island opens as a new immigration station -
Mounted Inspectors Along US-Mexico Border
U.S. Congress authorized "Mounted Inspectors", now known as Border Patrol, along the U.S.-Mexico border to regulate/prevent illegal immigration. -
1917 Immigration Act
Also known as the Asiatic Barred Zone Act, restricted the immigration of "undesirables". This meant that stupid people, epileptics, alcoholics, criminals, and the poor could not immigrate to the U.S. -
Emergency Quota Act
The law created quotas for each country of birth and allowed regulations and limitations on immigration. -
Immigration Act of 1924
Also known as the Johnson-Reed Act, this act limited the number of immigrants allowed to immigrate into the U.S. Only 2% of each nationality in the U.S. was granted a visa. -
Labor Appropriation Act
Congress established the Border Patrol as part of the Immigration Bureau in the Department of Labor. -
Indian Citizenship Act
U.S. Congress granted citizenship to all Native American born in the United States. -
Nationality Act of 1940
This law revised previous laws of regulating immigration and established who was/could be a citizen and how to gain and/or lose citizenship. -
Bracero Program
This program was an agreement between the U.S. and Mexican governments that permitted Mexican citizens to take temporary agricultural work in the United States. -
Immigration Act of 1990
This act "increased the limits on legal immigration, revised all grounds for exclusion and deportation, authorized temporary protected status to aliens of designated countries, revised and established new non-immigrant admission categories". -
Enhanced Border Security and Visa Entry Reform Act of 2002
Signed by President George W. Bush, this act increases border patrol to put more restrictions on illegal immigration. -
The Secure Fence Act
The act authorized the construction of 700 miles of double layered fencing along the U.S.-Mexico Border. -
Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2003
VAWA provides a temporary visa and creates a pathway to legalization for undocumented immigrants who are the victims of domestic abuse. -
Arizona SB 1070
This law requires immigrants to carry their alien registration documents at all times and requires police to question people if there's reason to suspect they're in the United States illegally.
