-
1790 Alien Naturalization Act
First law by the United States providing rules of what granted natural citizenship. Citizens could only be free white males, ruling out femails, slaves, and indentured servants. From this first law, immigration policy evolved in the United States over the next two centuries. -
Alien and Sedition Acts
Law created during John Adams Presidency, giving the president the ability to punish and deport aliens.The law also increased the residency requirement form five to fourteen years and was created while the United States was preparing for war with France. -
First "Illegal Aliens" in United States
In 1808 foreign slave trade was declared illegal in the United States. Consequently, the 50,000 slaves importated into the states after 1808 became the first illegal aliens. -
Irish Immigration Begins
In 1816 Irish Immigration exploded in the United States. Over the next several decades millions of Irish immigrants came to the United States seeking new opportunites and refuge from the great Potatoe Famine. The large number of immigrants led to significant anit-Irish sentiments -
Chinese Immigrant Influx
During the years 1870 to 1880 nealry 200,000 Chinese immigrants entered the United States during the great gold rush. They came to participate in the California gold hunt -
Immigration Exclusion Act
The 1882 Immigration Exclusion Act prohibited the entrance of criminals, poor, and mentally to the United States -
Chinese Exclusion Act
Immigratinon law that barred Chinese immigration to the United States for 10 years. Act also stated that all current Chinese immigrants in the United States were barred from citizenship. -
Ellis Island Opened
Ellis Island was opened in 1892 as a place for screening new immigrants before they entered the United States. It was located off the coast of New York city and immigrants that came through the island faced health screenings, name changes, and possible extended stays. -
14th Amendment
On March 4, 1898 the Supreme Court confirmed that all citizens born in the United States were American citizens. -
Anarchist Exclusion Act Enacted
In 1903 the Anarchist Exlusion Act was enacted, which was the beginning of immigration limits based on political beliefs and ideologies. This act also emphasized health related exlusions. -
Angel Island Immigration Station Opened
In 1910 the Angel Island Immigration Station opened off of the coast of San Francisco. Angel Island served a very similar purpose to Ellis Island -
Ozawa vs. Supreme Court
National Court case in 1922 that declared Japanese immigrants ineligible for citizenship. The Supreme court stated that because he was not a white man or of African decent he could not be a citizen. -
Displaced Persons Act
The Displaced Persons Act allowed approximately 200,000 people that were refugees of World War II to enter into the United States legally. -
Armed Forces Naturalization Act
The Armed Forces Naturalization Act allowed any veterans that served in Active Duty to qualify for citzenship in the United States. -
Immigration Act of 1990
The Immigratino Act of 1990 increased the limits on legal immigration to the United States. It also edited the grounds for deportation and allowed for temporary protection status for immigrants from some countries.
