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143,439 immigrants arrive in the United States
Between 1821 and 1830, 143,439 immigrants arrived in the United States. (photo/FLICKR/gerson721) -
599,125 immigrants arrive in the United States
Between 1831 and 1840, 599,125 immigrants arrived in the United States. -
1,713,251 immigrants arrive in the United States
Between 1841 and 1850, 1,713,251 immigrants arrived in the United States. -
Irish Potato Famine
The Irish Potato Famine, which lasted for six years, spurred more than 1 million Irish citizens to immigrate to the United States. By 1850 the Irish made up more than 43 percent of the foreign-born population. Many who arrived stayed in major cities, such as New York and Boston, where anti-Catholic sentiments often resulted in violence. Some anti-Catholics went as far to create a political party, the "Know-Nothings" to stem Irish immigration and keep the Irish from becoming citizens. -
California Gold Rush
The discovery of gold in California spread quickly to southeast China, which was enduring a period of poverty after the Taiping rebellion. In 1849, only 54 Chinese were in California. By 1876, 151,000 Chinese had come to the United States, 116,000 of whom resided in the state of California. (photo/FLICKR/velodenz) -
U.S. Census
The U.S. Census surveys the nativity of people in the United States for the first time ever. -
2,598,214 immigrants arrived in the United States
Between 1851 and 1860, 2,598,214 immigrants arrived in the United States. -
2,314,825 immigrants arrive in the United States
Between 1861 and 1870, 2,314,825 immigrants arrived in the United States. -
The Homestead Act
The Homestead Act was signed into law on May 20, 1862 by President Abraham Lincoln to encourage Western migration by giving 160 acres to settlers. After a small filing fee and living on the land for six months, settlers could buy the land from the government for $1.25 per acre. After word spread about the “free soil” immigrants from Europe and the East flocked to the United States seeking their own part of the American Dream. (photo/FLICKR/gerson721) -
2,812,191 immigrants arrive in the United States
Between 1871 and 1880, 2,812,191 immigrants arrived in the United States. (photo/FLICKR/bobster855) -
Page Law
United States Congress passed the Page Law on March 3, 1875. Under this act, immigration to the U.S. from China, Japan or any Asian country was required to be free and voluntary. Any U.S. citizen found to be transporting immigrants without their consent could be punished. Transporting women to the U.S. for prostitution was forbidden, as was bringing people in for labor. Every vessel arriving at a U.S. port was subject to search. -
5,246,613 immigrants arrive in the United States
Between 1881 and 1890, 5,246,613 immigrants arrived in the United States. -
The Chinese Exclusion Act
The Chinese Exclusion Act, signed into law on May 6, 1882 by President Chester A. Arthur, was the first major law that halted immigration to the U.S. The Geary Act in 1892 extended the law for another 10 years before it became permanent in 1902. (photo/FLICKR/Brenda Anderson) -
Ellis Island Immigration Center opens
The Ellis Island Immigration Center officially opens. Harper's Weekly described the two-story building as a "latter-day watering place hotel, presenting to the view a great many-windowed expanse of buff-painted wooden walls, of blue slate roofing, and of light an picturesque towers." (photo/FLICKR/gerson721) -
8,795,386 immigrants arrive in the United States
Between 1901 and 1910, 8,795,386 immigrants arrived in the United States. -
Dillingham Commission report
The Dillingham Commission, established to study the effect of immigration on the U.S., publishes a 42-volume report warning that immigration from Southern and Eastern Europe threatens to subvert American society. (photo/Harvard University Library) -
5,735,811 immigrants arrive in the United States
Between 1911 and 1920, 5,735,811 immigrants arrived in the United States. (photo/FLICKR/jarek69) -
4,107,209 immigrants arrive in the United States
Between 1921 and 1930, 4,107,209 immigrants arrived in the United States. -
Emergency Quota Act
The Emergency Quota Act restricted the number of immigrants from a given country to 3 percent of the number of people living in the U.S. from that country in 1910. See the restrictions by country. -
Bhagat Singh Thind decision
In United States v. Bhagat Singh Thind, the Supreme Court found that Indians from the Asian subcontinent are not allowed to become U.S. citizens. Justice Sutherland delivered the opinion of the court, which denied Dr. Thind citizenship. Mr. Thind, who was born in Punjab, immigrated to the U.S. in 1913 to attend the University of California. He served as an American in WWI and was discharged honorably in 1918. (photo/PBS) -
532,431 immigrants arrive in the United States
Between 1931 and 1940, 532,431 immigrants arrived in the United States. -
Alien Registration Act
The Alien Registration Act of 1940 requires that all immigrants in the United States over 14 years of age be registered and fingerprinted. (photo/FLICKR/BostonBill) -
The Magnuson Act
The Magnuson Act, also know as the Act that repealed the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882, was signed into law on Dec. 17, 1943. It allowed Chinese immigration to the U.S. and also provided for those Chinese already living in the U.S. to become naturalized citizens. During WWII many Asian women, deemed “war brides,” were brought home by servicemen as a result of military occupation. An estimated 1 million war brides came to the U.S. between 1942 and 1952. (photo/FLICKR/danperry.com) -
Ellis Island closes
Ellis Island in New York City closed down after 62 years in operation. During this time, 15 million immigrants passed through the island when coming to the United States. -
Immigration and Naturalization Act
The Immigration and Naturalization Act of 1965 legally allowed immigration to the United States from Southern Europe and the eastern hemisphere. It was signed into law by President Lyndon B. Johnson at a ceremony on Libery Island. (photo/FLICKR/jacdupree) -
The Helms Amendment
The United States bans travel and immigration by foreign nationals who are infected with HIV, the virus that causes AIDS. The Helms Amendment, named for Sen. Jesse Helms, added HIV to the list excluding immigrants from coming to the United States. -
HIV immigration and travel ban
The HIV travel and immigration ban is set to be abolished by the Department of Health and Human Services after a 45-day comment period. “We are one important step closer to finally ending this discriminatory ban once and for all,” said Joe Solmonese, Human Rights Campaign President in a press release. (photo/FLICKR/clappstar)
