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U.S. Immigration
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Beginning of Colonial Immigration
The James River was first discovered by immigrants, which marked the start of immigration to America. Jamestown was the first successful settlement. This marked the beginning of a nation-a nation that was certainly English in its foundation. -
Pennsylvania Enacts Oath of Allegiance for German Immigrants
German immigrants were able to accept the U.S. as their home and country. -
The first alien Naturalization Act of 1790
Naturalization was limited to immigrants who were free white persons of good moral character who had lived in the United States for two years. This meant that indigenous peoples, free African Americans, indentured servants and slaves were excluded from citizenship. -
The Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo
This treaty ended the war between the United States and Mexico. The treaty added an additional 525,000 square miles to United States territory, including the land that makes up all or parts of present-day Arizona, California, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah and Wyoming. -
Homestead Act
The Homestead Act accelerated the settlement of the western territory by granting adult heads of families 160 acres of surveyed public land for a minimal filing fee and 5 years of continuous residence on that land. -
The First Transcontinental Railroad
A golden spike was driven at Promontory, Utah, signaling the completion of the first transcontinental railroad in the United States. The transcontinental railroad had long been a dream for people living in the American West. -
Naturalization Act of 1870
Naturalization policy, which governs the way that foreigners may obtain U.S. citizenship. It is also noted for extending the naturalization process to "aliens of African nativity and to persons of African descent." Other non-whites were not included in this act and remained excluded from naturalization, per the Naturalization Act of 1790. -
Immigration Act of 1882
Congress passed a new Immigration Act that stated a 50 cents tax would be levied on all aliens landing at United States ports. State Commission and officers were in charge of checking the passengers upon incoming vessels arriving in the U.S. The passengers were examined by a set of exclusionary criteria. Upon examination passengers who appeared to be convicts, lunatics, idiots or unable to take care of themselves were not permitted onto land. -
Emergency Quota Act
The Emergency Quota Act, also known as the Emergency Immigration Act of 1921,restricted immigration into the United States. The act restricted the number of immigrants allowed into the country from any country annually to 3% of the number of residents from that same country living in the United States as of the U.S. Census of 1910. -
U.S. BOrder Patrol
An agency of the United States Department of Labor to prevent illegal entries along the Mexico–United States border and the United States-Canada border. The first Border Patrol station began operations in Detroit, Michigan in June 1924. -
Cracero Program
The Bracero Program, which brought millions of Mexican guest workers to the United States. It was also a series of laws and diplomatic agreements, initiated on August 4, 1942, when the United States signed the Mexican Farm Labor Agreement with Mexico. -
Magnuson Act
The Magnuson Act, also known as the Chinese Exclusion Repeal Act of 1943, was immigration legislation proposed by U.S. Representative Warren G. Magnuson of Washington and signed into law on December 17, 1943 in the United States so that Chinese that were living in the United States were allowed citizenship. -
Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986
This act was pased in order to control and deter illegal immigration to the United States. Its major provisions stipulate legalization of undocumented aliens who had been continuously unlawfully present since 1982. -
Secure Fence Act
To establish operational control over the international land and maritime borders of the United States. Enacted by. the 109th United States Congress. -
Arizona Immigration Law
The Arizona Senate Bill 1070 requires police to determine the immigration status of someone arrested or detained when there is “reasonable suspicion” they are not in the U.S. legally.
