Immigration Timeline

Alien and Sedition Acts

Dec 1, 1798

These acts were put into place to build stronger national security. They were drafted by the federalists and signed by President John Adams.

The California Gold Rush

Jan 24, 1848

Gold was found in California and once news was out about this people flocked to california in hopes of gaining a profit.

Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo

Feb 2, 1848

Also known as the Treaty of Peace, Friendship, Limits and Settlements between the United States of America and the Mexican Republic. It was the treaty that ended the Mexican- American War.

Naturalization Act

Jun 18, 1870

This act made the time period in which to become a naturalized citizen go from 5 years to 14 years.

Chinese Exclusion Act

May 6, 1882

This act prohibited all immigration of Chinese workers into the United States.

Ellis Island Opens

Jan 1, 1892

This was an immigration station where they would inspect immigrants.

Anarchist Exclusion Act

Mar 3, 1903

Also known as the Immigration Act of 1903. This act added four inadmissable classes for immigration which were anarchists, people with epilepsy, beggars, and importers of prostitutes.

Angel Island

Dec 1, 1905

Along with Ellis Island, Angel Island was also an immigration station. This was on the west while Ellis Island was on the East.

Immigration Act of 1917

Feb 5, 1917

This act added several limitation on who could enter into the United States. It was meant to keep the "undesirables" out of the country.

United States Border Patrol Formed

May 28, 1924

The United Stated Border Patrol is a United States agency that prevents illegal immigrants from entering into the United States.

Alien Registration Act

Jun 29, 1940

This act brought criminal penalties to those who were advocating for the overthrow the United States government and required all adults who were not citizens to register with the government.

Internal Security Act

Sep 23, 1950

This act declared that the Communist Party of South Africa was unlawful.

Immigration and Nationality Act of 1952

Jun 27, 1952

This act restricted Immigration into the United States and it operates alongside title 8 of the United States Code.

Refugee Act of 1980

Mar 17, 1980

This was created to have a more permanent and systematic procedure to getting refugees admission into the United States.

Immigration Reform and Control Act

Nov 6, 1986

This act made it so that companies had to be aware and report the immigration status of their employees. The act was directed at employers.