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Declaration of Independence: All Men Created Equal
The Declaration of Independence is signed, declaring that "all men are created equal" and have certain "unalienable rights," including "life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness -
Naturalization Act of 1790: Citizenship Restrictions
The Naturalization Act of 1790 is passed, which limits citizenship to free white persons of "good character" who have been living in the United States for at least two years. -
California Gold Rush Begins
The California Gold Rush begins, attracting millions of immigrants to the United States, including Chinese, Mexican, and Irish immigrants. -
Dred Scott Decision: African Americans Denied Citizenship
The Dred Scott decision is issued, ruling that African Americans are not citizens and have no rights under the Constitution -
Ratification of the 14th Amendment: Granting Citizenship
The 14th Amendment is ratified, which grants citizenship to all persons born or naturalized in the United States, including African Americans. -
Ratification of the 15th Amendment: Voting Rights for All Races
The 15th Amendment is ratified, which prohibits the denial of voting rights on the basis of race, color, or previous condition of servitude. -
Chinese Exclusion Act: Ban on Chinese Immigration
The Chinese Exclusion Act is passed, banning all Chinese immigration for 10 years. -
The Great American Melting Pot Declared
The United States Census Bureau declares that the "Great American Melting Pot" has been achieved, as the country's population becomes increasingly diverse. -
National Origins Act: Quota System for Immigration
The National Origins Act is passed, which establishes a national quotas system for immigration that favors immigrants from Northern and Western Europe. -
Magnuson Act: Repealing Chinese Exclusion
The Magnuson Act is passed, repealing the Chinese Exclusion Act and allowing limited Chinese immigration. -
Immigration and Nationality Act: Eliminating Race Barriers
The Immigration and Nationality Act is passed, which eliminates race as a bar to immigration or citizenship. -
Hart-Celler Act: Abolishing National Origins Quota
The Hart-Celler Act is passed, abolishing the national origins quota system and replacing it with a preference system that focuses on immigrants' skills and family relationships with citizens or U.S. residents. -
Immigration Reform and Control Act: Granting Amnesty
The Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986 is passed, granting amnesty to millions of undocumented immigrants who entered the country before January 1, 1982. -
Immigration Act of 1990: Increased Visas for Asia and Latin America
The Immigration Act of 1990 is passed, increasing the number of visas available to immigrants from Asia and Latin America. -
USA Patriot Act: Expanded Immigration Powers
The USA Patriot Act is passed, which expands the government's powers to detain and deport immigrants suspected of terrorism. -
DACA Program Created: Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals
The Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program is created, which allows certain undocumented immigrants who came to the United States as children to receive a renewable two-year period of deferred action from deportation and to be eligible for a work permit. -
End of DACA Program Announced
The Trump administration announces that it will end the DACA program