Immigration in the United States

  • Naturalization Act of 1790 Passed

    Grants naturalization to resident aliens of two years or more, who are "ffree white persons" of "good moral character"
  • Naturalization act Revised by Jefferson Administration

    In 1795, the Jefferson Administration revised the naturalization act to required five years of residency rather than the previous 14 year of residency
  • Naturalization Act of 1798

    Allowed then President (and federalist) John Adams to deport any immigrants or aliens if they are deemed dangerous. Also, increased the naturalization requirement to 14 years of residency (an act many believed to be due to the fact that most immigrants were voting republican).
  • Act of 1807

    Importation of slaves banned officially.
  • First Reporting Rule adopted

    Required vessels transporting persons to produce a manifest of those immigrating into the country
  • Mass Immigration into the United States during this decade

    Irish potato famine led to a 1/5th drop in there population with millions emigrating to the US. Rapid industrialization of Germany sent more foriegn born persons to our shores.
  • Treaty of Guadelupe Hidalgo

    Ends the Mexican-American war, giving the US a massive amount of land and granting citizenship to 80,000 mexicans living in the American Southwest, Texas and California.
  • Gold rush

    Discovery of Gold in the rivers of California spurs a massive internal migration, and immigration of China nationals to the west shores of the United States, seeking their fortunes in the hills.
  • Outbreak of the American Civil War

    The final breaking point over slave trade fueled tensions between the north and the south regions of the United States.
  • The Homestead act

    Granted land to persons agreeing to develop and live on the land. Again, spurred a large amount of internal migration, as well as immigration from the overpopulated countries overseas, with families looking for their own land.
  • Naturalization Act of 1870

    Grants citizenship to both whites and african-americans, but still not asian immigrants
  • 15th Amendment Ratified

    Grants the "voting right" to citizens of any "race, color or previous condition of servitude"
  • Elllis Island Opens

    Opens its first building, Ellis Island will process more than 16 million immigrants during its operation.
  • Border Patrol is Created

    In an attempt to quell illegal importation and immigration, Border Patrol is established
  • Alien Registration act

    Requires the fingerprinting and registration of any immigrants over the age of 14 years old.