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Events leading to Current Immigration Status
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Pilgrims Come to America
On November 21, 1620, many immigrants came to the United States to get religious freedom from the British king. They started to settle on the East side of the United States and started moving into the west. This resulted in a lot of deaths, especially those of the American Indians. -
Mexico Gains Independence
This day Mexico gained independence from Spain. Because they had finally won the war against Spain, they were very excited about their victory. The war had also changed a lot of things in Mexico like their economy and recovering would take a while. Soon they would be at war with the U.S. -
Manifest Destiny
Sometime during the 1840's the idea of Manifest Destiny was very popular. This was the idea that God had given the people, specifically the people who settled in the east, the right to take over all the land from the east to the west. It became the mission of the people, and they would do anything to exapnd all the way to the west. -
Mexican American War Begins
The Americans wanted more land, but Mexico was in their way. This caused the war to begin between Mexico and the United States. -
Mexican American War is Over
The war between Mexico and the United States had ended, but it caused Mexico to lose a lot of land. They lost more than half of their territory. This was good for the Americans though because their mission of gaining much land was happening. -
Immigration Act of 1924
On May 26th, Congress passed the Immigration Act of 1924. This bill would allow only a certain amount of immigrants from Mexico in. This also applied to other people coming from other countries. Once they reached a certain quota for the year no more people from that country were allowed to immigrate. They would have to wait. This acto would not allow anyone from Asia to immigrate. -
Prohibition Ends
The Prohibition for alcohol ends on this day. When this ended the trade of illegal drugs started to increase. -
Operation Wetback
In 1954 Border Patrol began to seize any illegal immigrant that they came in contact with. It didn't matter if the adults had American born children because they would be deported along with their parents. By the end of 1954 over 1 million illegal immigrants had been discovered, and over 865,000 people. -
Cesar Chavez Marches
On this day Cesar Chavez protested with many Latinos against labor laws. He didn't believe that field workers were paid enough or treated equally in the work environment specifically fields though. -
Drug Smuggling
Near the end of the 1960's, drug smuggling into the United States was seen a lot more. It was seen on a major scale than it had ever been seen before. This smuggling would still increase more. -
Immigration Reform and Control Act (IRCA)
This new act was to help control illegal immigration. It would affect employers because they would be fined for knowingly hiring someone who was illegal. It would also allow certain people to work in the United States Agricultural Department, and it would enforce Border Security. -
NAFTA Treaty
This Treaty by the North American Free Trade Agreement is so that Canada, Mexico, and the United States could trade amongst each other. It's purpose was to make trading easier, and it was also to reduce the amount of money spent on tariffs and taxes. -
SB1070 Passed in Arizona
This law passes in Arizona, and it means that all illegal immigrants must carry any documents they have. If they are arrested for doing something bad, they can be questioned to see if they are here illegally. They can be deported. This law also states that you cannot hire illegal immigrants or transport them. -
DREAM Act is Introduced
The DREAM ACT is not passed by the U.S. government. Some people are for this new act, but others are not for it. This new act would allow people who were brought to the United States under the age of fifteen to have certain rights. This law did not lead into permanent citizenship though. -
DREAM Act Passes
This act was passed in the Supreme Court. Illegal immigrants that were brought into the United States under the age of fifteen are allowed the right to work in the U.S. and also go to college. It is a similar version to the original DREAM Act.
