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Alien and Sedition Acts
Alien and Sedition Acts required 14 years of residency before citizenship and provided for the deportation of "dangerous" aliens. -
Chinese Exclusion Act
First federal immigration law suspended Chinese immigration for 10 years and barred Chinese in U.S. from citizenship. -
Contract Labor Law
Unlawful to import unskilled aliens from overseas as laborers. Regulations did not pertain to those crossing land borders. -
Ellis Island
Ellis Island opened to screen immigrants entering on east coast. -
Border Patrol
The first use of border patrol was to block Asian immigrants from entering through Mexico. -
Naturalization
Knowledge of English becomes a basic requirement. -
Bureau of Immigration and Naturalization
This bureau is put in charge of national immigration policy. -
Literacy Tests
Literacy test given to those over 16 trying to come into the country. -
Fingerprinting
Finger printing and registering required for all aliens. -
Immigration and Nationality Act
Immigration and Nationality Act eliminated race as a bar to immigration or citizenship. -
Immigration Reform and Control Act
Amnesty given to illegal aliens while sanctions for employers hiring them. -
Proof of Citizenship
Legislation passes a law saying you must have proof of citizenship to get a license. -
English Immersion
Voters want english immersion in schools causing bilingual education to be banned in Arizona. -
S.B. 1070
Arizona Governor Jan Brewer signs the "Support our Law Enforcement and Safe Neighborhoods Act," known as S.B. 1070. -
SB 1070 Opposition
The Obama Administration sues to block SB 1070 saying Arizona is overstepping their rights as a state. Immigration is a federal issue not a state issue.