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Naturalization Act
Naturalization ActNaturalization Act of 1790, allowed citizenship to any free, white alien who had been in the U.S. for two years. This did not include identured servants, slaves, and most women. For naturalization, one had to prove good moral character, and an oath to support the Constitution, giving full fidelity to the U.S. -
Indian Removal Act
Signed by President Andrew Jackson, removed Natives from their lands, for expansion and granting of "unsettled" land to U.S. farmers. This later created the forced removal of Cherokees during winter 1838-39, known as Trail of Tears, where 4000 Cherokees died. -
California Gold Rush
Gold was found at Sutter's Mill in Coloma, CA, in which news of gold brought 30,000 gold seekers from around the world to California. Tens of thousands were from Latin America, Europe, Australia, and Asia. After the boom, and California's new statehood, anti-foreign and racist attacks, laws, and confiscatory taxes increased, especially towards Chines and Latin American immigrants, to drive out immigrants and foreigners. -
Homestead Act
Signed by President Abraham Lincoln, encouraging Western immigration by providong settlers, who have resided continuously in the U.S. for 5 years, with 160 acres of land in exchange for a filing fee. Immigration increased. -
Chinese Exclusion Act
Signed by President Chester A. Arthur, prohibited all immigration of Chinese Laborers, made permanent in 1902. Was the beginning of excluding immigration by race. Led to implementation of border patrol later in 1904. -
Beginnings of Border Patrol
As early as 1904 (specific date not recorded), Mounted Guards of the U.S. Immigration Service patrolled the U.S. border to prevent illegal crossings at Southwest border, especially the Chinese after the chinese Exclusion Act of 1882. -
the Immigration Acts of 1921
Temporarily limited the numbers of immigrants to the U.S. by imposing quotas based on country of birth. -
Labor Appropriation Act of 1924
Passed by Congress, officially established the U.S. Border Patrol to secure the borders between inspection stations. Expanded to seacoast patrol in 1925. -
Magnuson Act
Repealed the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882, allowing immigration of Chinese into the U.S., and permitted naturalization of Chinese already residing in the U.S,, however, banned property-ownership rights. Later Repealed in 1965. -
IRCA
The Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986, signed by Reagan, made it illegal to hire illegal immigrants, requiring employers to testify their immigration status, and legalized immigrants who had resided in the U.S. continuously before 1982. -
IIRIRA
IIRIRASigned by Clinton. The Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996 regulated entry and retry of immigrants, stating that immigrants unlawfully present in the U.S. between 180 and 365 days must remain outside the U.S. for 3 years unless they obtain a pardon, those in the U.S. more than 365 days must remain outside the U.S. for 10 years unless they obtain a waiver. If the immigrant returns without a pardon or waiver, they may not apply for one for 10 years. -
Secure America and Orderly Immigration Act
Also known as The Kennedy-McCain Immigration Bill, allowed 400,000 foreign workers each year, and their visas were valid for 3 years. Those already illegally residing in the U.S have to pay a $2,000 fine, clear a criminal background check, pass and English exam, and if they had a job, could apply for citizenship in 6 years. However, it increased the fines for employers who hired illegals, and strengthened border security. -
Prop 103
Due to the high traffic of hispanics in the Southwest, Arizona passed the English as the Official Language Act, pushing the English language to be the only language, in which all government acts are to be in English, including education, where speaking Spanish is prohibited. -
SB 1070
SB 1070The Support Our Law Enforcement and Safe Neighborhoods Act, signed by AZ Governor Jan Brewer on April 23, scheduled to go in effect July 29, 2010, required police to determine the immigration status of someone who was suspected to be in the U.S. illegally, police were also authorized to demand papers proving immigration status. Multiple injunctions were filed, for the law encouraged racial profiling and deemed unconstitutional. U.S. Supreme Court called SB 1070 as a violoation of the Supremacy -
AZ HB 2162
HB 2162Signed by AZ Governor Jan Brewer, a modification to the unconstitutional SB 1070. Prevented the investigation of immigration status based on suspicion, but police may investigate immigration status during a "lawful stop, detention, or arrest." A fine of maximum $100 will be given, and first time offenders get 20 days of incarceration.
