Important Events Regarding Immigration in American History

Importation of Slaves Banned

Oct 5, 1808

The Act Prohibited importation of slaves in the United States. This act ended the legality of the U.S.-based transatlantic slave trade. However, it was not always well enforced, and slavery itself continued in the United States until the end of the Civil War and the adoption of the 13th Amendment to the Constitution.

Irish Potato Famine

Oct 5, 1840

Ireland's potato famine increased immigration of the Irish people to America because of the shortage of food.

Elections of 1854

Oct 5, 1854

During the congress elections of 1854, many people from the Know Nothing Party were elected. Those individuals supported the idea of restrciting immigration.

Anti-Coolie Act

Oct 5, 1862

The Act limited immigration by Chinese railroad workers.

Homestead Act

Oct 5, 1862

The Homestead Act provided (cheap) places of residence for the poor and the immigrants. This brought a whole new wave of immigrants to the U.S.

The Building of the Transcontinental Railroad

Oct 5, 1863

Mostly Irish and Chinese immigrants built the transcontinental railroad.

Chinese Exclusion Act

Oct 5, 1882

This Act was enforced for ten years. No Chinese immigrants for any reason were allowed to enter America.

Immigration Act of 1882

Oct 5, 1882

Congress passed a new Immigration Act that stated a 50 cents tax would be levied on all aliens landing at United States ports. An act in which the State Commission and officers were in charge of checking the passengers upon incoming vessels arriving in the U.S. The passengers were examined by a set of exclusionary criteria. Upon examination passengers who appeared to be convicts, lunatics, idiots or unable to take care of themselves were not permitted onto land. http://www.eugenicsarchive.org/h

Statue of Liberty is Dedicated

Oct 5, 1886

The Statue of Liberty is completed and unvailed to the public.

Exatriation Act

Oct 5, 1907

American women that married immigrants lost their citizenship. This helped prevent immigrants from becoming citizens.

Immigration Act of 1917

Oct 6, 1917

This act added the literary requirement to immigrate into the United States.

Emergency Quota Act

Oct 6, 1921

This act limited immigration to three percent of what it was during the 1920s.

Immigration and Nationality Act of 1965

Oct 6, 1965

This added new restrictions on immigration from Mexico.

Immigration and Reform Control Act

Oct 6, 1986

This Act made it illegal to hire and illegal alien in the U.S.

Illegal Immigration and Immigrant Responsibility Act

Oct 6, 1996

This Act strengthened border enforcement. It also stated that if an individual was not a citizen they did not receive benefits.

U.S.A. Patriot Act

Oct 6, 2001

Due to 9/11 restrictions were added on immigration. A department of Homeland Security was created and border control was increased. It also became a rquirement that one's passport is machine readable.

Arizona Immigration Law

Apr 6, 2010

This criminalizes being an illegal alien in AZ, AZ police force is responsible for enforcing this law.