-
1790
Defining who could become a citizen if a person was not born here: Citizenship was possible only for someone who was "a free white person." -
Period: to
1880 and 1920
one of the heaviest periods of immigrantion in American History, when some 25 million immigrants arrived. -
Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882
No Chinese laborer could enter the United States for 10 years. -
Quota Act of 1921
Congress sets up quotas favoring immigrants from northwestern Europe. -
Immigration Act of 1924
expands the quota system: immigration from any country is limited to 2% of its total numbers in the 1890 census. -
1965-Immigration Reform Act
Throws out the national origins system; now preference is given first to reunifying families and second to people whose skills help the United States. -
1986 - Immigration Reform and Control Act
Penalizes employers for knowingly hiring undocumented immigrants, but it gives amnesty to some undocumented immigrants, allowing them a path to eventually apply for citizenship. -
Immigration Act of 1990
Which said that no country could account for more than 7% of total immigrants. -
Immigration Reform Act of 1996
A new law expands the U.S. Border Patrol and stiffens penalties for false papers. -
2007
President Bush bill proposed to fill short-term labor needs through a quest worker program and strengthened border control.
