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Naturalization Act of 1790
Naturalization Act of 1790 This was the first in a series of Naturalization Acts that defined how citizenship could be attained in the new Republic. This first act only required that an immigrant be a resident in the United States for two years and that the individual be a "free white person." -
Importation of Slaves Banned
Importation of Slaves Banned Slaves were no longer lawfully allowed to be brought in to the U.S. (although many still ignored this new law). Slavery was not abolished at this time. -
Steerage Act
Steerage Act This act required all passengers on ships entering the United States be reported. This was the first time that immigrants could be consistently tracked and is the reason for much of the information that we have about our ancestors. -
Irish Potato Famine
Potato Famine Between 1845 and 1855, there was an influx of Irish immigrants due to a famine in Ireland. These new immigrants sometimes clashed with the population already here, especially in areas like Boston. -
Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo
Treaty of Gudalupe Hidalgo is Signed This treaty marked the end of the Mexican-American war. After the war, California, Texas and New Mexico were signed over to the United States and those living in this area became U.S. citizens. -
Homestead Act
The Homestead Act The Homestead Act provided land to western settlers who intended to live on the land for more than 5 years. Many immigrants (especially the Irish who were fleeing from the potato famine) took advantage of this act. -
Naturalization Act of 1870
Naturalization of 1870 This act provided for the naturalization of African-American and whites, but excluded Asians and Native Americans. -
Chinese Exclusion Act
Chinese Exclusion Act The Act of 1882 was the first law to restrict immigration into the United States. It was a reaction to declining employment rates and a poor economy on the West Coast that was attributed to an influx of Chinese immigrants. -
The Opening of Ellis Island
Ellis Island Ellis Island was a major port of entry for immigrants and between the official opening in 1892 and its close in 1954, this immigration station processed over 12 million immigrants. -
Immigration Act of 1917
Immigration Act of 1979 This law required that immigrants be able to pass a literacy test in order to enter the country. -
Cable Act of 1922
Cable Act of 1922 This act stated that an American woman who married an Asian man would lose citizenship. -
Labor Appropriation Act of 1924
Labor Appropriation Act This act established a border patrol for the United States. -
Alien Registration Act
Alien Registration Act of 1940 This act required that immigrants to the United States disclose political affiliations as well as occupation. They were also fingerprinted. -
Immigration and Nationality Act of 1952
Immigration and Nationality Act This act reinforced a quota system and restricted communists applying to enter the country, The act also released the restriction on Asian immigrants. -
Immigration Act of 1964
Immigration law of 1964 This act lessened the restrictions on immigrants from Asia being able to enter the United States. It also contained specific allowances for political refugees. -
Immigration Law of 1990
Immigration Law of 1990 This law raised limits on the number of allowed incoming immigrants and released many of the nationality restrictions that were set by earlier immigration laws.
