Coming to America: The History of American Immigration. Created for HIS210E Medaille College
By JMiller38
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Period: to
COLONIZATION ERA - First Settlers of America
Nationalities of immigrants: England Scotland, Holland & Germany; forced migration of Africans and indentured servants from England. Pull factors: better life opportunity, religious freedom, adventure. Push factors: poor economy, political persecution, famines. OPEN IMMIGRATION with steady flow of incoming immigrants. -
First European settlers in America
104 British male settlers land and establish the first colony of the New World in Jamestown Virginia. [image source: https://www.google.com/search?q=first+settlers+in+jamestown+va&rlz=1C1CHZL_enUS694US694&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjfoOmA8qPOAhXE2B4KHXUGBBsQ_AUICSgC&biw=734&bih=660&dpr=0.9#imgrc=Uzy5YjEYzDAWdM%3A] -
Slave Trade Begins
First ship of the Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade arrives in Jamestown, VA with 20 Africans. During the Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade, nearly 10.7 million Africans were forced to migrate to America as slaves. [image source: https://www.google.com/search?q=first+settlers+in+jamestown+va&rlz=1C1CHZL_enUS694US694&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjfoOmA8qPOAhXE2B4KHXUGBBsQ_AUICSgC&biw=734&bih=660&dpr=0.9#imgrc=Uzy5YjEYzDAWdM%3A] -
Pilgrams land in New England
Seeking freedom to worship as they choose, the Puritans land and establish the Pymouth Colony [image source: http://www.gettyimages.com/pictures/the-pilgrim-fathers-arrive-at-plymouth-massachusetts-on-news-photo-102843951#the-pilgrim-fathers-arrive-at-plymouth-massachusetts-on-board-the-picture-id102843951] -
MY EARLIEST ANCESTORS: JOHN TRIPP & WILLIAM HALL
In my research tracing my ancestor's arrivals to America, I learned that my family dates back to the earliest colonial settlers. In fact, my 10th great-grandfathers came over together from England and helped establish the colony of Rhode Island.
[image source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_early_settlers_of_Rhode_Island] -
Period: to
Ethnic Discord & Rise of Nationalism
Hostility toward newer groups of immigrants entering America prior to Revolutionary War. Nationalism and unity in loyalty to America rose during Revolutionary War. -
Passing of British Transporation Act of 1718
As a form of punishment, 36,000 convicts from England sent to British colonies in America between 1718-1769. -
Period: to
American Revolutionary War
Slowed flow of immigration. -
Articles of Confederation
States determine citizen status and naturilization policies for immigrants [image source: http://mrippolito.blogspot.com/2015/10/problems-with-articles-of-confederation.html] -
Period: to
THE NEW NATION - Establishing an Identity
Nationalities of immigrants: England Scotland, Holland, Sweden, Germany, Ireland & France; forced migration of Africans. Pull factors: skilled workers/artisans Push factors: French aristocrats fleeing French Revolution; Irish rebels seeking refuged OPEN IMMIGRATION with slow flow of immigrants. -
Constitution of the United States of American
Provides the guidelines to govern and unify the states. [image source: http://www.indian-ed.org/about-sti/us-constitution/] -
Period: to
French Revolution
French aristocrat immigrants arrive in America fleeing bourgeoisie riots. -
Naturalization Act of 1790
Provided path to citizenship for white individuals with two years’ residency who showed good character and swore allegiance to the Constitution. -
Naturalization Act of 1795
Extended residency requirement was raised to 5 years; also required pledge of allegiance to the US & renouncing any previous allegiance. [image source: https://www.timetoast.com/timelines/naturalization-and-immigration-us-policy-timeline] -
Alien & Sedition Acts
Extended residency requirement to 14 years for naturalization. Authorized President power to detain, apprehend and deport non-citizens who appear to be a threat to the US. (e.d.u.) -
Naturalization Act of 1802
Residency requirement was lowered to 5 years. ( -
Act Prohibiting Importation of Slaves
End of the United States' participation in the Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade and imporation of new slaves. [image source: https://todayinlaborhistory.wordpress.com/category/1800-1809/] -
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War of 1812
Slowed flow of immigration -
Period: to
MASS IMMIGRATION ERA - First wave
Nationalities of immigrants: English, Irish, Welsh, Scottish, German, French, Switzerland, Netherlands, Norweigian and Swedish. Pull factors: land availability, job opportunity, sense of adventure. Push factors: overpopulation of Europe, poor economy, political persecution, famines. OPEN IMMIGRATION with steady flow of incoming immigrants. -
1819 Steerage Act (Manifest of Immigrants Act)
Regulated conditions of transportation of immigrants arriving; also mandated a manifest of incoming immigrants and their demographics [image source: http://bestofpicture.com/immigrant-pictures-ships.html] -
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RELIGIOUS & ETHNIC PREJUDICE and the CIVIL WAR
Nationalities of immigrants: Western & Northern Europeans. Pull factors: land availability, job opportunity, sense of adventure. Push factors: overpopulation of Europe, poor economy, political persecution, famines. OPEN IMMIGRATION with slow flow of arrivals; rise of nativist sentiments -
Period: to
Irish Potato Famine
Famine in Ireland pushed many to take "coffin ships" or "famine ships" to America in hopes of better living situations. Irish arrivals also brought hostile sentiments from nativists. -
Period: to
THE "NEW" IMMIGRATION ERA - The Second Wave & Rise of Restriction
Nationalities of immigrants: Western & Northern Europeans, Southern & Eastern Europeans - Italians, Russians, Austria-Hungary, Greece, Romania & Turkey Pull factors: job opportunities, family re-unification; emigration from native countries opened Push factors: poor economies, political and religious asylum BEGINNING OF RESTRICTED IMMIGRATION with steady flow of arrivals; rise of nativist sentiments & call for restrictions. -
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US Civil War
Slowed flow of immigration. Immigrants of different nationalities fought along side each other; this created a sense of nationality and unity -
Homestead Act of 1862
In an attempt to encourage emigration from Europe to the US during the Civil War, 160 acres of land was granted to incoming immigrants promising to reside and improve upon the land. [image source: https://pastsmith.wordpress.com/2014/04/25/homestead-act-of-1862/] -
1864 Immigration Act
Encouraged immigration, specifically cheap immigrant labor to help encourage US railroad and mining industries. Also created Commissioner of Immigration position reporting to Secretary of State. -
Period: to
INDUSTRIAL IMMIGRATION - The Pull of the Steam Engine
Nationalities of immigrants: Western & Northern Europeans, Southern & Eastern Europeans - Italians, Russians, Austria-Hungary, Greece, Romania & Turkey Pull factors: job opportunities with railroads/steam engine, family re-unification Push factors: poor economies, political and religious asylum RESTRICTED IMMIGRATION with limited flow of arrivals; rise of nativist sentiments & call for further restrictions. -
Burlingame Treaty
Open immigration and preference to Chinese immigrating in exchange for US access to Chinese trade routes. Presence of Chinese nationals led to hostile nativist sentiments - particularly in Western States. [image source: http://econhist.econproph.net/author/detzlera/] -
Naturalization Act of 1870
Extended naturatlization rights to African-Americans - Asians still excluded. -
1875 Page Law
Immigration of Chinese, Japanese or any Asian country must be free & voluntary – not attached to a labor contract. -
Period: to
RESTRICTED IMMIGRATION - the Rise of the Nativist
Nationalities of immigrants: mostly Europeans - preference to Western & Northern Europeans Pull factors: job opportunities, family re-unification Push factors: poor economies, political and religious asylum RESTRICTED IMMIGRATION with very limited flow of arrivals; nationalism rose & immigrants assimilated -
Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882
Suspended immigration of Chinese laborers and barred Chinese nationals from naturalizing and deported many national Chinese -
Immigration Act of 1882
Centralized immigration control as a federal responsibility; placed a head tax of fifty cents on incoming immigrants; established screening processes for admissibility of incoming immigrants -
Alien Contract Labor Law
Barred American employers from engaging in labor contracts with foreign individuals prior to their immigration to the US -
Statue of Liberty Dedicated in NYC Harbor
The Statue of Liberty was dedicated as a welcoming beacon of American hope in the NYC harbor for all incoming immigrants [images source: http://www.nyctourist.com/liberty1.htm] -
Scott Act of 1888
Prohibited Chinese nationals from reentry – even with documentation authorizing reentry -
Immigration Act of 1891
Revised Immigration Act of 1882. Stated certain classes were unfit to become American citizens. Incoming immigrants to undergo inspections upon arrival. [image source:http://immigrationtous.net/94-ellis-island.html] -
Ellis Island officially opens
Ellis Island opens as an immigration processing center. [image source: http://immigrationtous.net/94-ellis-island.html] -
Geary Act
Extends Chinese Exclusion Act for an additional 10 years; requires all Chinese nationals to obtain documentation indicating their status in America; also allows for imprisonment for any Chinese national found to be residing illegally. [image source: https://aspoonfulofsuga.wordpress.com/2013/07/02/defining-racism-w-respect-to-oppressive-laws/] -
Dillingham Commission
Study that supported popular opinion of the time that immigrants from Southern & Eastern European were less desirable than individuals who had immigrated earlier. [image source: https://www.uscis.gov/history-and-genealogy/historical-library/library-news/highlights-library-collection-immigration-commission-reports] -
Period: to
World War II
Slowed immigration during WWI - increase post-War -
Immigration Act of 1917
Expanded on Chinese exclusion laws – excluded individuals of the Asiatic zone from immigrating to America; expands on inadmissibility of unfit individuals and includes a literacy exam. [image source: https://ehistory.osu.edu/sites/ehistory.osu.edu/files/mmh/clash/Imm_KKK/Immigration%20Pages/Documents/Literacytest.htm] -
Emergency Quota Act
Regulates admission quotas based on nationality. Limits number of immigrants of each nationality to 3% of the number of foreign-born residents as of 1910 consensus. Western Hemisphere countries exempt [image source: http://1920sper3.weebly.com/politics.html] -
Period: to
CONSEQUENCES OF RESTRICTION
Nationalities of immigrants: Mexicans, Latin Americans, Filipinos, Post-WWII Jewish, German displaced persons; Pull factors: job & education opportunities, family re-unification Push factors: poor economies, political and religious persecution RESTRICTED IMMIGRATION with increasing flow of immigrants from Third World countries. -
National Origins Quota Act (Johnson-Reed Act)
Incoming immigrants limited to 2% of each nationality in ratio to foreign-born population of 1890 census; Western Hemisphere still exempt [image source: http://18423229.weebly.com/immigration-act-of-1924.html] -
Labor Appropriation Act of 1924
Establishes the U.S. Border Patrol to secure American land borders [image source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Border_Patrol ] -
Mexican Repatriation Act of 1929
Deported Mexican nationals and American-born individuals of Mexican descent to Mexico – took place without due process [image source: http://www.notesfromaztlan.com/2014/01/10/we-didnt-cross-the-border-the-border-crossed-us/] -
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The Great Depression
Slowed immigration due to poor economy and limited resources -
Period: to
World War II
Slowed immigrant flow from Europe, but flow from Mexico and Latin America increased; Post-War saw huge increase of flow. -
Alien Registration Act
All alien residents over 14 must register their occupational status and political beliefs. [image source: http://framework.latimes.com/2012/02/14/alien-registration-act-of-1940/] -
Period: to
Mexican Immigration
Rise of immigration of the Mexican - drawn to the America's job and education opportunities -
Bracero Agreement
Established an agreement that allowed Mexican migrant workers into the US under short-term labor contracts. [image source: https://bracerohistoryarchive.com/2011/07/30/bracero-program/] -
Magnuson Immigration Act
Repeals the Chinese Exclusion Act and allowed Chinese nationals to naturalize [image source: http://www.nyhistory.org/exhibitions/chineseamerican] -
War Bride and Fiancées Act
Allowed soldiers to bring foreign-born spouse and children into US regardless of quotas. [image source: http://www.americainwwii.com/articles/war-brides/ ] -
Period: to
Cold War
Increase flow of individuals seeking political asylum from communist regimes -
Displaced Persons Act of 1948
Allowed for over 200,000 individuals displaced from their homes to immigrate to America; also allowed for 15,000 illegal immigrants that met the displaced persons’ definition to obtain legal permanent resident status [picture source: (https://museumvictoria.com.au/immigrationmuseum/discoverycentre/identity/people-like-them/the-white-picket-fence/timeline/?selected=3) accessed 07/29/16] -
Immigration and Nationality Act (McCarran-Walter Act)
Consolidated several immigration laws into one statute; maintains nations origins quota system – but amended how quotas are calculated. Asians are assigned quotas that allow for immigration. US Consular officers to screen foreigners for entry – particularly if individuals were political radicals, unlawful or immoral -
Refugee Relief Act of 1953
Allows for 205,000 non-quota immigrants to be admitted to US if fleeing persecution or in exile from native home [image retrieved from google.com images] -
Period: to
MODERN IMMIGRATION - A Welcomed Shelter
Nationalities of immigrants: Mexicans, Puerto Ricans, Latinos, Carribeans, Asians, Third World countries, refugees from Soviet (Russian) satellites, such as Ukraine & Serbia, Cuba, Vietnam, Cambodia, Burma Pull factors: job & education opportunities family re-unification Push factors: poor economies, religious and political persecution RESTRICTED IMMIGRATION, BUT REFORMING TOWARDS OPEN with heavy flow of arrivals; rise of refugee immigrant -
Immigration and Nationality Act (Hart-Cellar Act)
Eliminates quota system; immigrants now admitted based on relation to US citizen, law-abiding resident or US employer – no limit on immediate family members -
Armed Forces Naturalization Act
Allows immigrant active-duty armed forces veterans to naturalize. [image source: https://www.uscis.gov/history-and-genealogy/our-history/agency-history/military-naturalization-during-wwii Retrieved July 31, 2016] -
Migration & Refugee Assistance Act
Funds provided to assist Western Hemisphere individuals escaping persecution or fear of persecution – directed to Cuban nationals fleeing Castro’s rule [image source: http://historymiamiarchives.org/guides/?p=digitallibrary/digitalcontent&id=315 retrieved July 31, 2016] -
Indochina Migration and Refugee Assistance Act
Expanded definition of refugee to include individuals fleeing persecution from Vietnam & Cambodia [image source: https://nholterm.wordpress.com/economic-and-identification/] -
Immigration and Nationality Act Amendments
Adopts preference category on Mexican immigrants -
Refugee Act of 1980
Establishes system to process refugee and asylum seekers. Expands definition of refugee to include any individual outside his or her country unable or unwilling to return [image source: http://asianamericanrightsmovement.weebly.com/timeline.html] -
Immigration Reform and Control Act
Increase in border patrol staffing; sanctions on employers who knowing hire illegal immigrants; paths to amend an illegal immigrant’s status to legal resident established [image source: http://abcnews.go.com/ABC_Univision/News/23-defining-moments-immigration-policy-history/story?id=17810440] -
Amerasian Homecoming Act
Allows Vietnam-born children fathered by American troops to immigrate [image source: https://spotlights.fold3.com/2012/04/11/miss-saigon-and-the-bui-doi/] -
Immigration Act of 1990
Increased incoming immigrant limits, further defines grounds for deportation; eliminates judicial recommendations against deportation [image source: http://consumerlawmagazine.com/immigration-act-of-1990/] -
Violent Crime Control & Law Enforcement Act
US Attorney General may bypass deportation proceedings for aliens convicted of aggravated felony charges; stricter penalties for smuggling illegal immigrants -
Antiterrorism and Effective Death Penalty Act
Expands on list of crimes labeled as “aggravated felon”; establishes “expedited removal” process by border/inspection officials -
Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act
Expands inadmissibility and deportation grounds; increases border patrol and increases border security; stricter guidelines for refugee/asylum seekers; entry-exit system to monitor arrivals and departures of immigrants; establishes data program for employers and social welfare agencies to verify immigrant status and eligibility -
Nicaraguan Adjustment and Central American Relief Act (NACARA)
Provided paths for relief from deportation and adjustment of status for qualified Nicaraguans, Cubans, Salvadorans, Guatemalans, and nationals of Soviet satellites -
Haitian Refugee Immigration Fairness Act
Extends similar benefits as NACARA, but directed towards Haitians [image source: https://yourimmigrationangel.com/tag/us-immigration/] -
9/11
Increased call for more enforced border control. [image source: http://www.factslides.com/s-9-11] -
USA Patriot Act
Broadens grounds for exclusion and further defines terrorism [image source: http://www.slate.com/articles/news_and_politics/jurisprudence/2003/09/a_guide_to_the_patriot_act_part_3.html] -
Enhanced Border Security and Visa Entry Reform Act
Mandates development of electronic data systems to share relevant info regarding alien admissibility and removability; implements entry/exit data system [image source: http://www.gannettonline.com/gns/911/feature1.htm] -
Homeland Security Act
Department of Homeland Security replaces US Immigration and Naturalization Service. DHS compilation of three separate agencies: US Customs & Border Patrol, US Immigration & Customs Enforcement, and US Citizenship and Immigration Services [image source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Homeland_Security_Act] -
Real ID Act
Establishes statutory guidelines for deportation cases, expands terrorism-related grounds for inadmissibility and deportation; provides measures to improve border infrastructure; requires states to verify applicant’s legal status prior to issuing government identification cards [image source: http://vifreepress.com/2015/12/real-id-deadline-looms-for-the-virgin-islands-and-puerto-rico-jan-10/]
