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The Naturalization Act of 1790
This law limited citizenship to immigrants that were "free white persons" of "good moral character." This meant that Blacks, free or enslaved, could not be citizens. It also excluded Native Americans and indentured servants. -
The Naturalization Act of 1798
This act made it easier to deport immigrants and foriegners as well as increased the number of years of residency required for citizenship to 14 years. This was a politically motivated act: it was conceived by Federalists and signed by John Adams, the current Federalist president. Their motivation was that many immigrants and foriegners supported the Republican party. The Alien and Sedition Acts -
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143,439 immigrants arrive in the U.S.
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599,125 immigrants arrive in the U.S.
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1,713,251 immigrants arrive in the U.S.
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The California Gold Rush
Large numbers of Chinese immigrants are drawn to California in search of gold.
Foriegn Miners -
The Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo
This treaty ended the Mexican-American War and granted citizenship to about 80,000 Mexicans living in the modern day southwestern region of the United States. -
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2,598,214 immigrants arrive in the U.S.
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2,314,825 immigrants arrive in the U.S.
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The Fourteenth Amendment
In addition to adding the due process and equal protection clauses to the U.S. constitution, this amendment granted citizenship to any person born in the United States regardless of their parents' ethnicity citizenship, or origin of birth. -
The Naturalization Act of 1870
This law added African Americans and other people of African descent to the The Naturalization Act of 1790. Blacks could now become citizens, however, the law still excluded people of Asian descent. -
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2,812,191 immigrants arrive in the U.S.
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5,246,613 immigrants arrive in the U.S.
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The Alien Contract Labor Law
This law prohibited the importation of foreign labor unless it was for "domestic service" or for a specialized skill. This is a product of a mindset similar to the current perspective of Latino immigrants that they're, "stealing our jobs." -
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3,687,564 immigrants arrive in the U.S.
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8,795,386 immigrants arrive in the U.S.
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One Million Immigrants
For the first time over one million immigrants enter the United States in just one year. This spurres legislators to begin creating immigration quotas. -
The Mexican Revolution
The Mexican Revolution spanned from 1910 to 1920. During this period thousands of Mexicans immigrated to the U.S. looking for work. -
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5,735,811 immigrants arrive in the U.S.
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The Immigration Act of 1917
This act established the use of literacy tests for incoming immigrants. Immigrants were now required to know at least some English to enter the united States. The law also included many other restrictions for immigration as well as allowed for the deportation of immigrants who spoke of revolution or sabotage. -
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4,107,209 immigrants arrive in the U.S.
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The U.S. Border Patrol
The Border Patrol was established as a Department of Labor agency in 1924. The goal was to decrease illegal immigration and smuggling from Canada and Mexico. -
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532,431 immigrants arrive in the U.S.
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1,035,039 immigrants arrive in the U.S.
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Pearl Harbor
After the Japanese bombing of Pearl Harbor, the United States officially entered WWII. The attack created fear and mistrust of Japanese Americans, who then started to be relocated to Japanese Internment camps in 1942. -
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2,515,479 immigrants arrive in the U.S.
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Operation Wetback
This was an operation devised by Presiden Eisenhower and INS to remove large numbers of Latino from the southwest. It resulted in discrimination and many violations of civil rights. -
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3,321,677 immigrants arrive in the U.S.
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4,493,314 immigrants arrive in the U.S.
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7,338,062 immigrants arrive in the U.S.
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Arizona Proposition 203
Under the guise of English education, this initiative effectively banned bilingual education. Now English immersion programs for second language learners are prohibited from using any other language of instruction besides English.
Read the Proposition -
AZ SB1070: The Support Our Law Enforcement and Safe Neighborhoods Act
A controversial immigration crack down, this law makes it permittable for in-state law enforcement officers to verify the citizenship of anyone they stop, detain, or arrest. It requires individuals to carry identification papers with them at all times and makes it a misdemeanor to be here illegally.
