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The History of Immigration
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First Alien Naturalization Act Enacted
On March 26th, 1790, shortly after America succeeded Europe and created their own independant political system, the United States government enacted the first Alien Naturalization Act. -
Alien and Sedation Acts Revised
In June of 1798, the United States congress tweaked the Alien and Sedation Acts to increase the required term of residency for naturalization to fourteen years. -
Residency Requirement Decreased
With Thomas Jefferson the new President of the United States, congress revised the Alien and Sedation Acts to make the requirement for residency in America five years instead of fourteen. -
Foreign Slave Trade made Illegal
In 1808, United States congress passed a law making foreign slave trade illegal. This made 500,000 former slaves into "illegal aliens". -
New York vs. Miln
The New York vs. Miln case gave states the power to take precautionary measures against the importation of illegal immigrants. -
Congress Can Regulate Immigration
On February 7th, 1849, the United States Supreme Court made a ruling that said that congress alone could regulate immigration for America. -
First Attempt to Centraliaze Immigration Control
On July 4th, 1864, congress enacted the first attempt to centralize immigration control. The President appointed a Commissioner of Immigration under the authority of the Secretary of State. -
Former Slaves considered Citizens
Former slaves are now considered to be citizens in the United States. -
Immigration Act Revised
In 1882, the Immigration Act was revised, making it so that criminals, poor and mentally ill people could not become American citizens, so as not to cost existing US citizens money. -
Ellis Island Opens
Ellis Island is opened as an immigrant entry checkpoint. -
Anyone Born in the US is a Citizen
The sumpre court ruled that anyone born in the United States is considered to be an American citizen. -
Quota Act is Enacted
In May 1921, the First Quota Act was made a law, limiting the number of immigrants from certain countries allowed into America each year. -
Japanese are Inelegible for Citizenship
On November 13, 1922, the supreme court ruled that anyone coming from Japan was inelegible for citizenship in America. -
Documenting Immigrants Began
The Supreme Court passed a law in 1940 requiring all immigrants to register their finger prints, names, and new social security numbers, along with addresses. -
US Commission & Immigration Reform
In 1990, the United States Commission and Immigration Reform was created by the Immigration Act of 1990. It reviewed and evaluated the implementation and impact of United States foreign policy and transmitted to the congress reports of its findings and reccomendations. -
Commission's First Interim Report
On September 30th, 1944, the Commission's first interim report was presented in front of congress. It focused on controlling illegal immigration with reccomendations for border management, work-site verification, program elegibility, etc. -
Commission's Second Interim Report
In 1995, the Commission reported their second interim to congress. This included reccommendations on family and employment-based immigration, refugee admissions and naturalization.
