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Beginning of Colonial Immigration; English Settlers Arrive in America
In 1607, the English settled on the James River. This was the mark of a new nation. Later on in the 18th century, it was noticable that many "foreigners" were coming into this new nation. -
First Alien Naturalization Act Enacted by the Newly Created US Government
This act provided the rules of granting citizenship. From this act, laws of naturalization in the U.S. evolved. -
Reduces Naturalization Residency Requirements
Congress reduces naturalization residency requirements to 5 years. -
Congress Alone Can Regulate Immigration
The Supreme Court rules that Congress can regulate immigration laws according to the Constitution. -
Chinese Exclusion Act Passes and Immigration Exclusion Era Begins
This marks the beginning of immigration exclusion. This meant that the U.S. would restrict who came in to the country under federal law. -
Mexican Revolution Drives Thousands of Mexicans across the US-Mexican Border
Political opponents of the President in Mexico revolted. Even though this President was overthrown, the revolution continued. This drove thousands of Mexicans north and across the U.S. border. -
Congress Allows "Mounted Inspectors" Along the US-Mexico Border
These guards were placed along the border and used to restrict immigration through these areas. They mainly pursued Chinese immigrants who were trying to avoid exclusion laws. -
Labor Appropriation Act of 1924
The Labor Appropriation Act of 1924 was passed and established the U.S. Border Patrol's purpose to secure the border between inspection stations. -
US President Franklin D. Roosevelt Signs Executive Order 9066
This order made it so that all Japanese Americans on U.S. soil were sent to internment camps. This issue was brought up becuase of the attack of Pearl Harbor. This was a huge event related to race and immigration because of the large racial aspect. Later on, these people were released. -
Control Act (IRCA) Grants Legal Status to Qualifying Immigrants Who Entered the US Illegally before Jan. 1, 1982
Legal status was now granted to immigrants who entered the U.S. illegally before January 1st, 1982. -
Legal Immigration Family Equity (LIFE) Act Grants Legalization to Qualifying Immigrants in the US Illegally
"Section 245(i) allows certain persons who have an immigrant visa immediately available but entered without inspection or otherwise violated their status and thus are ineligible to apply for adjustment of status in the United States—to apply if they pay a $1,000 penalty."
(http://immigration.procon.org/sourcefiles/2000legalimmigrationfamilyequitylifeact.pdf) -
Terrorist Attacks Prompt Tighter Security At Border
The terrorist attacks on September 11th, 2001 prompted the U.S. to tighten security along the U.S.-Mexico border along with many other places. Military support was expanded along the border. -
Secure Fence Act Authorizes Fencing along the US-Mexican Border
Fencing was approved to be placed along the U.S.-Mexico border as we see it today. -
Arizona Bill (SB 1070) Signed
The controversial law SB 1070 was signed in Arizona, requiring legal immigrants to carry their paperwork at all times. Arizona law enforcement can check anyone they "reasonably suspect" at any given time. -
Supreme Court Upholds SB1070, Penalizing Businesses with Undocumented Workers
The U.S. Supreme Court upholds the new Arizona law which would like to penalize businesses with undocumented workers. -
US Supreme Court Upholds Centerpiece of 2010 Arizona Immigration Law, Rejects Other Provisions
The U.S. Supreme Court upholds the centerpiece law, "show me your papers", but rejects other changes. They decided to "leave the door open for further challenges".
