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Early Settlement
In 1607, the first succesfull settlement was established by the English Settlers. It later became known as Jamestown, and served as the foundation for which America was built. -
First Alien Naturalization Act Enacted by the Newly Created US Government
"The original [1790 Alien Naturalization Act (165KB) ] 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". -
Mass Chinease Immigration
The 1800's marks the first major documentations of Chinese in the U.S. This was largely due to the Gold Rush. The first Chinese immigrants were widely liked by Americans because they were mostly wealthy merchants. But that population soon got over-run with a large group of unskilled laborers. Because of these new immigrants, acts and laws were passed that decreased the number of Chinese immigrants greatly. -
The Chinease Exclusion Act
This act restricts all chinease immigration into the United States for a period of 10 years. -
Mexican Revolution Drives Thousands of Mexicans across the US-Mexican Border
The Mexican Revolution sent tens of thousands of Mexican migrant workers to the United States, as the economy south of the border changed and the economy north of the border entered a more progressive, worker-centered era. -
Arizona becomes a state
Arizona is admitted as the 48th state to the United States. -
U.S Border Patrol Established
On May 28, 1924, Congress passed the Labor Appropriation Act of 1924, officially establishing the U.S. Border Patrol for the purpose of securing the borders between inspection stations. In 1925 its duties were expanded to patrol the seacoast. Officers were quickly recruited for the new positions. The Border Patrol expanded to 450 officers. -
Mass Deportation
Mass deportation opened up job opportunities for desperate non-Mexican workers during the Great Depression, but World War II created millions of vacancies, particularly in the agricultural industry. The U.S. government's Bracero Program attempted to resolve some of these issues by importing Mexican migrant workers to perform many of the duties previously performed by men serving overseas. The program worked out so well that the government continued to operate it until 1964. -
Ellis Island Closes
"In November of 1954 the last detainee, a Norwegian merchant seaman named Arne Peterssen was released, and Ellis Island officially closed. In 1965, President Lyndon Johnson declared Ellis Island part of the Statue of Liberty National Monument." -
NAFTA
The passage of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), coupled with the Mexican economic collapse of 1994, brought an estimated 13 million new undocumented immigrants to the United States over the next 15 years. -
Prop 203
Prop 203 is a further initiative against immigrants to Arizona. This law forbids any teacher from speaking to a student in his or her native language. This law also goes against the Equal Education Act of 1974. -
Terrorist Attacks
Terrorist attacks prompt US Department of Defense to expand military support along the borders. -
SB 1070
SB 1070 is a law passed in Arizona that is the toughest anti-immigration law of its time. It requires that all immigrants over the age of 14 to carry their registration documents with them at all times. Further, the person can recieve a misdemeaner if he or she is not carrying the appropriate documents. -
Judge Blocks Key Parts of Arizona's Anti-Illegal Immigration Law
The judge blocked a requirement that police check the immigration status of people stopped for such routine infractions as traffic violations. -
President Obama Allows Illegal Immigrants Who Came to US as Children to Stay in the Country
''Under the change, the Department of Homeland Security will no longer initiate the deportation of illegal immigrants who came to the United States before age 16, have lived here for at least five years, and are in school, are high school graduates or are military veterans in good standing. The immigrants must also be under 30 and have clean criminal records..."
