Government Timeline

By HollieK
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    Illegal Immigration

  • Massachusetts Requires Permission to Host Aliens

    The General Court ordered that no town/person should recieve/host an alien without permission from the authorities.
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    Articles of Confederation Kept Citizenship/Naturalization of Immigrants Under States' Control

    Each individual state was allowed to choose the ability of citizenship or naturalization of illegal immigrants because of the Articles of Confederation.

  • Naturalization Act of 1795 Adds Rules to the Citizenship Process

    Increased the period of residency required from 2 years to 5 years. Required applicants to declare their intentions to become a U.S. Citizen publicly.

  • Supreme Court Rules that Congress Alone can Regulate Immigration

    In the absence of any federal legislation, state governments could not regulate immigration, but Congress's jurisdiction could.

  • Congress Establishes the First Federal Administrative Agency for the Regulation of Immigration

    The first federal administrative agency for the regulation of immigration was established by Congress in the Treasury Department.

  • Ellis Island Opens as Immigrant Entry Checkpoint

    Over 12 million immigrants entered the U.S. through Ellis Island, in the New York Harbor. The Barge Office was used for processing immigrants.

  • Naturalization Act Creates Bureau of Immigration and Naturalization

    This act established the basic procedure for naturalization.

  • U.S. Border Patrol Established with Labor Appropriation Act of 1924

    Establishing the U.S. Border Patrol for the purpose of securing the borders between inspection stations.

  • Nationality Act Unifies Nationality & Naturalization Laws

    This law represents the first attempt made to unify the U.S. laws that relate to nationality and naturalization.

  • 9/11

    Terrorist attacks prompt the U.S. Department of Defense to expand military support along our borders.