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The Naturalization Act of 1795
The Naturalization Act of 1795 made it a requirement that any persons that might become citizens in the United States of America must be a "free white person" who had been living in the states for a minimum of five years and had completely renounced their allegiance to their former country of citizenship. This piece of legislation was one of the first pieces to affect citizenship in the United States of America. -
Irish Potator Famine of 1840
Due to major crop shortages in Germany, the upset in Ireland over Catholicism and the Protestants, and overall political unrest all over Europe led many Irish people to immigrate to America. -
Congressional Elections of 1854
The elections in 1854 showed a trend of Americans favoring those that wanted to put greater restrictions on immigrations on account of the mass immigration from Ireland. This trend is still true today. In recent elections, many persons in the political arena have been continually reelected into Congress on behalf of their ideals for strict and enforced immigrations laws. -
Anti-Coolie Act of 1862
The Anti-Coolie Act of 1862, originally enacted in California made it so that Chinese workers and immigrants were unable to work in the production or manufacture of sugar, rice, coffee, or tea so to "discourage the immigration of the Chinese into the state of California." Later in that same year, the federal legislation passed for the same type of thing for the entire country. -
The 15th Amerndment
The 15th amendment granted the right to vote to everyone regardless of race or condition of previous servitude. This showed a shift of greater acceptance by those in America for immigrants from other countries to become citizens and giving everyone of different races the chance to make changes in their new home country. -
Naturalization Act of 1870
The Naturalization Act of 1870 expanded the right to citizenship for both white and blacks in the United States of America, but continued to exclude the Chinese from citizenship. This act showed a move toward lesser immigration strain on peoples of other cultures, but continued to prevent the inclusion of all peoples on fear that they may prevent the work of Americans, much like the fear that there is today with the immigration from Mexico and other Latin countries. -
Immigration Act of 1882
The Immigration Act of 1882 made it so that a tax of 50 cents was levied on immigrants that landed at US imports and made it so that citizenship was impossible for those to be considered not fit for citizenship for a multitude of reasons. This act showed a sense of restrain from including anyone into the country that was not already a citizen and began the process that remains today that makes it hard for immigrants to gain citizenship. -
The Anarchist Exclusion Act of 1903
The Anarchist Exclusion Act of 1903 was enacted following the assassination of President William McKinley by an American born son of Polish immigrants. This act made it so that immigration to the United States of America shall not be allowed to those with anarchist ideals. This act shows much of the ideals that are true today. With the great fear of terrorism in our country now, the US has become worrisome of allowing immigration into the country for those of certain cultures. -
Immigration Act of 1917
The Immigration Act, enacted on February 4, 1917, made it a requirement that all those that immigrated to the United States must take a literacy test that had them read at least 40 words in some language. Immigration from Asia was banned other than those from Japan and the Philippines. -
Alien Registration Act of 1940
The Alien Registration Act of 1940 made it a requirement for any aliens within the United States of America to register for and receive an Alien Registration Receipt Card. This was essentially the start to the use of Green Cards that are still used today in regard to immigration and citizenship within the United States of America. This act was also known as the Smith Act. -
Immigration and Nationality Act of 1965
The Immigration and Nationality Act, enacted in 1965 removed the quotas for immigration based on national origin that had previously been set. This act also made it so that immigration from Mexico was restricted and it allowed immigration from other countries into the United States based on skills and profession that could be helpful in the US rather than national origin. This type of ideal for immigration remains today. This act is also known as the Hart-Cellar Act. -
Immigration and Reform Control Act of 1986
The Immigration and Reform Control Act of 1968, passed into legislation by President Ronal Reagan, granted amnesty to any illegal immigrant that resided in the United States of America prior to 1982. This act also made it illegal to hire someone to work that was not a legal citizen. These ideals remain today, especially in regard to the immigration of peoples from Latin countries looking for work in the states. -
Immigration Act of 1990
The Immigration Act of 1990 served to further the service of the Immigration Act of 1965. This new immigration act made it a greater strive to restrict immigration as a whole, but on a lesser level to those that could bring skills and education to the United States of America. -
The USA Patriot Act of 2001
The USA Patriot Act was enacted in 2001 post and because of the 9/11 terrorist attacks. This act strengthened security for the country and formed the Department of Homeland Security which is now greatly influential in immigration reform. This act, while continues to be influential in the country today, has made it difficult for immigrants and those that are not easily identified at US citizens to travel. -
Arisona Senate Bill 1070 of 2010
The Arizona Senate Bill 1070 served to end illegal immigration into the state of Arizona by mandating that all persons be able to provide proof of citizenship at any moment; enforced by the ability to check citizenship upon suspicion by all police force. This bill has created a great debate over the rights of citizens and immigrants on a national scale and remains a topic of discussion in Arizona and across the United States.
