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January 1776
Thomas Paine publishes an article called "Common Sense" that argues for American independence. This article talks about becoming a new America and no longer part of Britain. -
Naturalization Act of 1790
Congress passed its first law about who could be U.S. Citizens. The naturalization act of 1790 said that any white free person who had been in the U.S. for more than 2 years or more could apply for citizenship. If they didn't get citizenship they wouldn't be protected by the constitution. -
First U.S. Census
In August of 1790, the first U.S. census takes place where 3.9 million people are counted. -
First Anti-Immigration Party
In 1849, America's first anti-immigration party, "Know-Nothing Party" was formed because of too many Irish and Germany immigrants settling in U.S. -
Chinese Exclusion Act
In 1882, the Chinese Exclusion Act passes which denies any immigrants from China from entering the U.S. The Americans blamed all the Chinese immigrants for the low wages. -
Ellis Island Opens
In 1892, Ellis Island opened as the first immigration station in New York harbor. -
Immigration Act of 1924
The Immigration Act of 1924 limited the number of immigrants allowed to enter U.S. through nationality quotas. -
Mexicans fill Labor Shortage
During WWII in 1942, the U.S. allowed Mexicans to enter the U.S. temporarily to help with agricultural work. This program lasted until 1964. -
Quota System Ends
The Immigration and Nationality Acts are overhauled ending the quota system for allowing immigrants into the U.S. Instead the immigration system focused on family reunification and skilled labor. -
Simpson-Mazzoli Act
President Ronald Regan signed the Simpson-Mazzoli Act, which granted amnesty to more than 3 million illegal immigrants living in the U.S. -
DACA
President Obama signed Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), which provided children of illegal immigrants from deportation but didn't grant citizenship. -
Executive Order Banning Immigration from Muslim Countries
In 2017, President Trump signed an executive order banning travel and immigration from 6 Muslim countries. -
Border Wall
In 2017, President Trump wants to build a border wall between the U.S. and Mexico to stop illegal immigration. This causes lots of controversy.