Evolution of American Citizenship

By Aman Kapoor

  • Adoption of the U.S. Constitution

    Since it makes no mention of specific definitions or guidelines for citizenship, the Constitution implies both state and national citizenship.

  • The Beginning of Citizenship

    Citizenship was granted to white individuals considered to be of "good" character by the Naturalization Act of 1790. These prospective citizens had to be residents of the United States for at least two years. Non-White people were not allowed to vote, testify in court, or own property at this time.

  • Dred Scott v. Sandford

    According to the decision of the Supreme Court, African Americans free or enslaved cannot be citizens of the United States and have no legal rights that white men are obligated to uphold. This ruling marks a major turning point in the citizenship debate.

  • Attorney General Edward Bates' Opinion

    Bates, who completely disagrees with the Dred Scott decision, believes that free Black people can hold US citizenship.

  • Act of Civil Rights and Black Codes

    Black Codes were established by former Confederate states to restrict the rights of former slaves. Congress responded by passing the Civil Rights Act of 1866, which upholds birthright citizenship for all people born or naturalized in the United States, regardless of color.

  • The approval of the Fourteenth Amendment

    The Citizenship Article of the approved Amendment grants citizenship, both national and state, to any those born or naturalized within the United States and falling under its jurisdiction. This gives birthright citizenship a constitutional basis and explicitly rejects the Dred Scott ruling.

  • The approval of the Fifteenth Amendment

    Grants African American men the right to vote, further extending civil rights protections.

  • Chinese Immigration Law

    reflects racial discrimination in immigration and naturalization rules, suspends Chinese immigration, and considers Chinese immigrants ineligible for naturalization.

  • The Dawes Act

    Changed how Native American tribes are treated by giving U.S. citizenship to those who accept individual land allowances.

  • Rejection of Citizenship

    Any American woman who marries a foreigner shall take the nationality of her husband, According to a congressional decision. No matter where the couple lived, the woman's legal identity changed to become her husband's after marriage.

  • Indian Citizenship Act

    acknowledges the rights of all Native Americans born in the country and grants them U.S. citizenship.

  • Nationality Act

    combines and codifies the laws about U.S. citizenship, such as those of birthright citizenship and registration.

  • McCarthy-Walter Act, often known as the Immigration and Nationality Act

    Removes racial barriers to immigration and naturalization, establishing a more inclusive approach to citizenship.

  • Act regarding Immigration and Nationality (Hart-Celler Act)

    removes national-origin limits, changing immigration laws in the United States to allow a wider range of backgrounds for newly arrived citizens

  • Doe vs. Plyler

    The Supreme Court upholds the idea of equal protection under the law by ruling that states cannot offer free public education to children of unauthorized immigrants.

  • The USA Patriot Act

    reflects constant difficulties in defining and defending citizenship rights, by expanding the government's power to monitor and regulate immigration in the context of national security.

  • Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals

    introduces safeguards for undocumented immigrants brought to the country as minors, acknowledging their real American identification despite problems with their legal status.