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Naturalization Act of 1790
“Establishes a uniform rule of naturalization and a two-year residency requirement for aliens who are "free white persons" of "good moral character"”. -
Slave Importation Ban
Although the importation of slaves is banned in the US during this year, it does not end, it only occurs illegally. -
Alien Contract Labor Law
“Prohibits any company or individual from bringing foreigners into the United States under contract to perform labor. The only exceptions are those immigrants brought to perform domestic service and skilled workmen needed to help establish a new trade or industry in the US.” -
Ellis Island
Ellis Island opens. This is where more than 16 million immigrants will be processed into the United States. -
Naturalization Act of 1906
Procedures are standardized for all immigrants, having some English language skills is required, and the Bureau of Immigration and Naturalization in the Commerce Department is established. -
Italian Immigration
Italian immigration peaks this year. -
WWII
WWII increases the amount of immigrants to the US. Albert Einstein is one of the many! -
War Brides Act
This allowed the wives of U.S. citizens who had served in the military to immigrate to the US. -
Displaced Persons Act of 1948
People who were displaced from WWII are now allowed to immigrate into the United States. -
Operation Wetback
A mission that forced illegal Mexican immigrants back into Mexico. -
Hart-Cellar Act
This act took away the racially based quotas and instead replaced them with preference categories based on family relationships and job skills being provided by the immigrant. -
Immigration Reform and Control Act (IRCA)
This act created penalties for employers who hired illegal immigrants. -
Immigration Rates
Rates of immigration are dropping. -
SB 1070
A controversial senate bill passed in Arizona that makes it a misdemeanor for an immigrant to not carry their required documents. -
DREAM Act
This act provides permanent residency to immigrants of “good moral character” who lived in the US as minors, graduated high school, and have lived in the US for at least 5 years.