-
1790
It passes a law defining who could become a citizen if a person was not born here: Citizenship was possible only for someone who was "a free white person" -
1880 and 1920
some 25 million immigrants arrived. -
Chinese Exclucsion Act of 1882
It said that no Chinese laborer could enter the United States for 10 years. -
Quota Act of 1921
Congress sets up quotas favoring immigrants from northwestern Europe. -
Immigration Act of 1924
Immigration from any country is limited to 2% of its total numbers in the 1890 census. -
1965 Immigration Reform Act
The immigration reform act throws out the national origins system; now preference is given first to reunifying families and second to people whose skills help the United States. -
1986 Immigration Reform and Control Act
penalizes employers for knowingly hiring undocumented immigrants, but it gives amnesty to some undocumented immigrants, allowing them a path to eventually apply for citizenship. -
Immigration Act of 1990
which said that no country could account for more than 7% of total immigrants. -
Immigration Reform Act of 1996
A new law expands the U.S. Border Patrol and stiffens penalties for false papers. -
2007
President George W. busch commited himself to backing a bill to address all immigration issues.
