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The English explorers came to colonize what is now called the United States of America. The first settlement was on James River in 1607.
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As a part of the trans-Atlantic slave trade, African slaves first arrived in Jamestown, Virginia in 1619.
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The first Alien Naturalization Act was created, which said only free white perons could be citizens of the United States of America.
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Congress and President Jefferson made foreign slave trade, but not domestic slavery, illegal. Any slaves smuggled into the United States after that, were considered "illegal immigrants."
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United States Supreme Court rules that anyone born in the United States is a legal citizen as a part of the 14th amendment to the constitution.
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Women who marry foreigners in the United States are no longer considered legal citizens.
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The United States Congress authorizes mounted inspectors to guard the U.S.-Mexico Border. Any individuals found crossing the border illegally were sent to immigration services.
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This act allowed Chinese immigrants to become legal citizens in the United States.
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Legal immigration to the United States is limited and revised all grounds for exclusion and deportation.
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About 300,000 Central Americans living in the United States were allowed to become legal citizens.
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The Secure Fence Act authorizes the building of a 700 mile long fence along the U.S.-Mexico border.
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Arizona bill SB 1070 was signed into law allowing police officers to stop anyone who they believed to "appear undocumented" and demand papers and proof of citizenship.
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United States Supreme Court upholds a law that punishes businesses for hiring undocumented immigrants, threatening businesses wit revoking or suspending proffessional licenses.
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President Obama signs DACA to allow some undocumented immigrants, who came to the United States as children, to stay in the U.S.
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President Barack Obama took executive action to prevent the deportation of millions illegal immigrants. Republican party fights back against his action.
