Immigration Timeline

Naturalization Act of 1790

Mar 26, 1790

A free white person that had good character and lived in the United States for at least two years could apply for citizenship. This article of legislation established a uniform naturalization process for the United States.

1882 Chinese Exclusion Act

May 6, 1882

This act exluded Chinese workers from migrating to the United States. President Chester A. Arthur signed the bill into law on the premise of protecting the good order of specific localities.This act was notable for the key immigration innovations introduced in this law.

Ellis Island Opens

Jan 1, 1892

Ellis Island opened its first immigration building for immigrants. It was a two-story high building constructed of Georgia pine.

Mexican Revolution of 1910

Nov 20, 1910

The people of Mexico were fed up with the dictatorship of President Porfino Diaz and decided it was time to revolt. As war raged on many Mexicans did not want to have a part in the bloody battle and fled their country to seek freedom in the United States. Over 900,000 Mexican immigrants migrated to the United States between 1910-1920.

Labor Appropriations Act of 1924

May 28, 1924

This Act first established Border Patrol to secure the borders between inspection stations. Inspectors were given a badge and a revolver during patrolling hours.

Alien Registration Act

Jun 29, 1924

This Act directed the USCIS to register and fingerprint any immigrant age 14 and older. The law passed by Congress was a national security measure.

McCarran-Walter Act

Jun 27, 1952

<a href='http://http://library.uwb.edu/guides/usimmigration/1952_immigration_and_nationality_act.html' >McCarran-Walter Act was enacted by Harry S. Trumen on June 25th, 1952. This Act revised previous laws regarding naturalization, origin, and nationality. The uploaded image is a picture of Pat McCarran, whom the law was named after.

1986 Immigration Amnesty Act

Nov 6, 1986

This act established that illegal immigrants be granted amnesty due to the violation of the government on immigrant rights. Undocumented and illegal immigrants were granted permanent residency in the United States.

Immigration Act of 1990

Nov 29, 1990

The impact of the Immigration Act of 1990 increased the overall ceiling on family-based migration from 216,000 to 480,000. This Act was signed into Congress by George Bush.

DREAM Act

Aug 1, 2001

The DREAM act would legalize more than a million undocumented young illegal immigrants. Certain requirements are needed for illegal immigrants to be awarded this application. Legislation shot down the Act and it has not been passed into legislation yet.

Secure Border Initiative Begins Construction

Nov 2, 2005

This program proposed by the Department of Homeland Security was a multiyear, multi-billion dollar program established to secure the US and Mexico borderlands.

Naturalization Exam

Oct 1, 2008

On October 1, 2008, a new naturalization exam was introduced by the ISCIS to determine if an immigrant could become a naturalized citizen. The test is composed of two elements, English and civics. The overall national pass rate on the test is a 92% as of August 2012.

SB 1070 is signed by Jan Brewer

Apr 23, 2010

Jan Brewer signed Senate Bill 1070 into legislation. This bill requires that police check the legal status of the person they pull over if they have suspicion that the person is an illegal immigrant.<a href='http://http://www.ncsl.org/issues-research/immig/analysis-of-arizonas-immigration-law.aspx'

Anti-Arizona Law or the California TRUST Act passed

Jul 7, 2012

California Senated passed this "anti-Arizona law" which ensures immigrants safety from random status checks by police. California made it clear through this Act that it is on the opposite end of the spectrum in immigration issues.

Deferred Action Program

Aug 15, 2012

The Obama Administration Program set into action a program that would allow undocumented immigrants the opportunity to gain a work permit if certain requirements are meant. So far, only 29 applicants have been approved.