-
Naturalization Act
Increased the necessary period for immigrants to become naturalized citizens in the U.S. from 5 to 14 years -
Alien and Sedition Act
Gave government new powers to deport any foreigner that was deemed dangerous -
U.S. Congress Bans Importation of More Slaves
U.S. Congress bans the importation of more slaves from outside the country, but it was still legal to enslave the African Americans that were already here -
Potato Famine in Ireland
There was a large potato famine in Ireland, creating a period of mass starvation in the country. Led about 1.5 million people to flee Ireland and immigrate to the U.S. -
Mexican-American War
Mexican-American War took place for 2 years and when America won they gained Texas, New Mexico, California, Arizona, Nevada, Utah, and half of Colorado. Mexican citizens living in the areas were given a year to decide if they wanted to switch to become citizens of the U.S. -
California Gold Rush
The Gold Rush massively increased immigration from people coming to the U.S. from China looking to find work -
Chinese Anti-Immigration Act
Congress passed the act to limit future immigration of Chinese workers to the U.S. -
Chinese Exclusion Act
Prevents any Chinese without family already in the U.S. from immigrating. Drastically reduced the number of Chinese immigrating to the U.S. -
Ellis Island Opens
Ellis Island Opens in New York, where more than 12 milliion immigrants coming from Europe within the next 30 years came through to enter the U.S. -
Angel Island Opens
Angel Island Immigration Station epens in San Fransisco and became known as the "Ellis Island of the West". Gave immigrants coming from Asia and Eastern Europe closer access to the U.S. -
Mexican Revolution
Mexican Revolution pushed people out of Mexico and to immigrate to the U.S. and settle in the borderlands. -
Labor Appropriation Act
This act officialy established the U.S. Border Patrol for the purpose of securing the borders between inspection stations. -
Annual Immigration Ceiling
Congress officially made the annual immigration ceiling at 150,000. 70% reserved for immigrants coming from Northern and Western Europe. The remaining 30% reserved for immigrants coming from Southern and Eastern Europe. No space reserved for immigrants coming from Asia. -
Great Depression
Many people, especially Mexicans, without legal papers were deported and sent back to their native country -
Alien Registration Act
Required the regisration and fingerprinting of all immigrants in the U.S. over the age of 14 -
World War II
Immigration policy was changed to allow for more immigrants to enter the U.S. because more soldiers were needed -
War Brides Act
Allowed foreign-born wives of U.S. citizens who had served in the U.S. armed forces to enter the U.S. -
Immigration Reform and Control Act
Congress passed this to amend, revise, and reform the status of unathorized immigrants set forth in the Immigration and Nationality Act -
Immigration Act of 1990
Increased the number of immigrants allowed into the U.S.each year from 150,000 to 700,000. -
SB 1070 Arizona Legislation Act
Requires all aliens over the age of 14 who are in the country for more than 30 days to register with the U.S. government and always have their legal papers with them, for they can be asked to prove their citizenship at any time
