Evolution of National Citizenry

By VictorMokienko

  • Naturalization Bill

    Gave citizenship to free whites in good character after living in the United States for two years. (https://www.visitthecapitol.gov)

  • Florida gains citizenship

    After the acquisition of Florida from Spain, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that those living in Florida would be granted full citizenship
    (https://constitution.congress.gov)

  • The Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo

    following the Mexican-American war, all land gained by the U.S. from Mexico and citizens living there would be granted citizenship. This included Arizona, New Mexico, and California.
    (https://constitution.congress.gov/)

  • The 14th Amendment

    The 14th Amendment granted citizenship to all people born in the United States. This included formerly enslaved people.
    (https://www.archives.gov)

  • The Jones Act

    This granted U.S. citizenship to all citizens of Puerto Rico.
    (https://constitution.congress.gov)

  • The Indian Citizenship Act

    This act granted all American-born Indians that were born in American territory would be granted U.S. citizenship.
    (https://constitution.congress.gov)

  • The Immigration and Nationality Act

    This act was extended to Aliens seeking immigration and how they would be granted citizenship. This would remove all class-determining factors. This act also extended to the children born abroad to U.S. Citizens, granting dual citizenship.
    (https://constitution.congress.gov)

  • Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986

    This act made it unlawful for any person or employer to hire or contract an alien or undocumented citizen if they are unauthorized to work or unable to verify their work status.
    (https://www.congress.gov)