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First National Count of the Unauthorized Immigrant Population
The first deltailed national count of the illegal, or unauthorized, immigrant population estimated 3.4 million immigrants in the United States illegally. The INS (US Immigration and Naturalization Service) developed this detailed report. -
September 11th Terrorist Attacks
The attacks of September 11, 2001 prompted the U.S. Department of Defense to strengthen military presence on U.S. borders. Although the DOD did not have the 'assigned responsibility to stop terrorists from coming across our borders,' their support with counterdrug/counterterrorism efforts appear to have enhanced their security profile and companionship on the borders of America. -
Enhanced Border Security and Visa Entry Reform Act
Due to the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, President Bush puts into motion the Enhanced Border Security and Visa Entry Reform Act, which will update immigration databases and travel document requirements. These updates made all information on a single "alien" accessible with one search, as well as required sharing of this data with the INS and the State Department. -
"Minuteman Project" Begins Recruiting Civilians to Patrol the U.S./Mexico Border
A group of men and women from around the country have banded together and stationed themselves accross the U.S. Mexico border in an effort to stop illegal immigration. James Gilchrist, says the project has attracted 450 volunteers from around the country. Gilchirst also says they have aided in the arrest of 146 undocumented immigrants. The Minutemen stake out across a 23-mile stretch of border northeast of Nogales. The Bush administration and Mexican government recognize them as vigilantes. -
Secure Fence Act Authorizes Fencing along the U.S./Mexican Border
The Secure Fence Act puts into action the construction of 700 hundred miles of double-layered fencing along the nation's Southern border. It also allows for the action of stopping unlawful entry of immigrants, paraphernalia, and terrorists. Finally, the Act requests for a study on the possible reconstruction an improved security systems along the Northern border. -
59% of Illegal Immigrants are from Mexico
According to the Department of Homeland Security, in January of 2007, 59% of the 11.8 Million illegal immigrants in the United States of America were from Mexico. 35% of these immigrants arrived after the year 2000. -
Decrease in Number of Illegal Immigrants
This marks the first time, since the Department of Homeland Security began tracking estimates of unathorized immigrants, that there was a decrease in the number of illegal immigrants in the United States. The number was down to 11.6 Million from 11.8 million in 2007. -
Signing of Arizona's S.B. 1070
Arizona's Republican Governor Jan Brewer signs into law the "Support our Law Enforcement and Safe Neighborhoods Act," (or S.B. 1070). Brewer states that this law will help keep Arizona safe from drug cartels and other hazards. The law makes "attrition through enforcement" the policy of all state/local government agencies. This tactic refers to the strategy that intrusive immigration enforcement will make life so difficult for illegal immigrants that they choose to leave Arizona. -
Obama Administration vs. S.B. 1070
The Obama administration sues to eliminate the Arizona law, S.B. 1070. It argues that the U.S. Constitution only gives the federal government authority over immigration, and that illegal and legal immigration enforcement is the sole responsibility of federal government agencies, not each individual state. -
Judge Blocks Key Points of S.B. 1070
U.S. District Judge Susan Bolton blocks four key points of Arizona's S.B. 1070. Bolton denies the requirement for police to check the immigration status of people stopped for routine infractions, if suspected they are in the U.S. illegally. She also denies sections allowing law enforcement to detain individuals until their legal status is clarified, requirement that foreigners carry documentation showing they're allowed to be in America, and the part that bans illegal immigrants from work in AZ. -
U.S. Appeals Court Upholds Bolton's Decision
A U.S. appeals court upholds the judge Susan Bolton's decision. One of three judges on the panel writes that the Arizona law amounts to "a singular entry into the foreign policy of the United States by a single state" and that it has the "potential to lead to 50 different state immigration schemes piling on top of the federal scheme." -
Arizona Appeals Supreme Court Decision
The state of Arizona files its appeal with the Supreme Court. They argue that Arizona is seeking to cooperate with federal immigration efforts and that the law does not conflict with federal policy. Attorney Paul Clement procedes to call the federal immigration system faulted, adding that it leaves Arizona to carry a disproportionate share of a national issue. -
President Obama Signs Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA)
President Obama allows some undocumented immigrants who came to the United States as children to stay in the country. In a press conference, Obama states "They are Americans in their heart, in their minds, in every single way but one: on paper.” This plan could possibly benefit more than 800,000 illegal immigrants who came to the U.S. before age 16, have resided here for at least five years, are in school and/or high school graduates, or are military veterans in good standing. -
Supreme Court Upholds Sections of S.B. 1070
The Supreme Court upholds a key part of Arizona's S.B. 1070. This ruling rejects the Obama administration's stance that only the federal government should enforce immigration laws. The court unanimously voted to uphold the state law's very controversial aspect, one which requires police officers to check the immigration status of people they stop. Yet, the justices have also ruled that the 3 other aspects have gone too far in intruding on federal law. -
Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act Adds Immigrants to Protected Classes
The VAWA (Violence Against Women Act) now provides a temporary visa and creates an easier process to legalization for undocumented or illegal immigrants who are the victims of domestic abuse.
