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First Alien Naturalization Act
The original Alien Naturalization Act provided the first rules to be followed by all of the United States in the granting of national citizenship. At that time and by that law naturalization was limited to aliens who were 'free white persons' and thus left out indentured servants, slaves, and most women, all of whom were considered dependents and thus incapable of casting an independent vote. Source: Historical Timeline - Illegal Immigration Solutions - ProCon.org. (n.d.). Retrieved April 19, 20 -
Update to the Naturalization Act
Naturalization Act restricts citizenship to “free white persons” who reside in the United
States for five years and renounce their allegiance to their former country. “Free white persons”
disqualifies both African slaves and poor whites who came to the U.S. as indentured servants. Source: (n.d.). Retrieved April 19, 2015, from http://btw.mayfirst.org/sites/default/files/resources/files/immigration_timeline.pdf -
Alien and Sedition Acts
Alien and Sedition Acts permit the President to deport any foreigner deemed to be dangerous. Residency Requirement for Naturalization Increases to 14 Years. Source: (n.d.). Retrieved April 19, 2015, from http://btw.mayfirst.org/sites/default/files/resources/files/immigration_timeline.pdf -
Reduction of Naturalization Residency
President Jefferson wanted to get rid of the residency requirement. Congress, believing residency was still a key element of citizenship, only lowered the requirement to the previous length of five years. Source: http://www.citationmachine.net/apa/cite-a-website/create -
Ban on Importing Slaves
Congress bans importing more slaves, but itʼs still legal to enslave those black people who are already here, as well as their children. Source: (n.d.). Retrieved April 19, 2015, from http://btw.mayfirst.org/sites/default/files/resources/files/immigration_timeline.pdf -
Native Americans Exempted & Moved
Tribe after tribe of Native Americans in the south were forced to cede their lands to the federal government and move west of the Mississippi River. Eleven treaties of cession were negotiated with these tribes between 1814 and 1824; from these agreements the United States acquired millions of acres of land. Source: Historical Timeline - Illegal Immigration Solutions - ProCon.org. (n.d.). Retrieved April 19, 2015, from http://immigration.procon.org/view.timeline.php?timelineID=000023 -
Advocation for 21-Year Residence Requirement
Several members of Congress were claimed by the nativists, and, in 1845 and 1847, national native-American conventions were held to advocate a 21-year residence requirement for naturalization, the limitation of officeholding to native Americans, the restriction of immigration, and educational reforms. Source: Historical Timeline - Illegal Immigration Solutions - ProCon.org. (n.d.). Retrieved April 19, 2015, from http://immigration.procon.org/view.timeline.php?timelineID=000023 -
Irish Immigration Influx
Potato Famine drives almost 1.5 million Irish to the U.S. There is a lot of fear that they wonʼt be independent enough to be Americans because of their Catholicism, and because of
this, they suffer a lot of discrimination. A large anti-immigrant movement soon arises, gains respectability
and institutionalized strength, including a major political party. Source: (n.d.). Retrieved April 19, 2015, from http://btw.mayfirst.org/sites/default/files/resources/files/immigration_timeline.pdf -
Conclusion of Mexican-American War
Mexican-American War is settled with the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo in which Mexico lost half of its territory, and the United States gained Texas, New Mexico, California, Arizona, Nevada, Utah and half of Colorado. Source: (n.d.). Retrieved April 19, 2015, from http://btw.mayfirst.org/sites/default/files/resources/files/immigration_timeline.pdf -
Gold Rush increases Chinese Immigration
The Gold Rush in California increases immigration from China, as well as migration from the eastern United States. California imposes Foreign Minerʼs Tax and enforces it mainly against
Chinese miners, who were often forced to pay more than once. -
Ellis Island Opens
Ellis Island opens in New York harbor that processes over 12 million immigrants, mainly Europeans, over the next 30 years. Source: (n.d.). Retrieved April 19, 2015, from http://btw.mayfirst.org/sites/default/files/resources/files/immigration_timeline.pdf -
First Mexican Political Refugees
Mexican Revolution pushes the first MEXICAN political refugees into the U.S. Source: (n.d.). Retrieved April 19, 2015, from http://btw.mayfirst.org/sites/default/files/resources/files/immigration_timeline.pdf -
The War Bride Acts
The War Brides Act allows foreign-born wives of U.S. citizens who had served in the U.S.armed forces to enter the United States. Fiancees of soldiers are admitted the next year. Source: (n.d.). Retrieved April 19, 2015, from http://btw.mayfirst.org/sites/default/files/resources/files/immigration_timeline.pdf -
Arizona's SB1070 Law is signed
SB 1070 is intended as an “attrition through enforcement” doctrine. SB 1070 mandates the carrying of proper documentation for any alien in Arizona, and it levies a misdemeanor on any person who is found without such documentation. It also requires state law enforcement officials to determine an individual’s immigration status during any routine stop, detention or arrest. At the time, toughest immigration law in the country. Source: (n.d.). Retrieved April 19, 2015, from http://www.usnews.com/deb -
Supreme Court ammends SB1070 Law
A divided Supreme Court threw out major parts of Arizona’s tough crackdown on illegal immigrants. The justices unanimously approved the law’s most-discussed provision, requiring police to check the immigration status of those they stop for other reasons, but limited the consequences. Source: Supreme Court limits major parts of Arizona immigration law. (n.d.). Retrieved April 19, 2015, from http://tudecidesmedia.com/supreme-court-limits-major-parts-of-arizona-immigration-law-p3689-128.htm