Evolution of National Citizenry

Nationality Act of 1790

Mar 26, 1790

Congress would define ones eligibility for citizenship to "free white persons" which at the time were while, male, property owners can become citizens.

14th Amendment

Jun 8, 1866

Granted citizenship to all people "born or naturalized in the United States." This would mean that former enslaved men were equal citizens under this Amendment. It would all extend all rights in writing to them as well.

Chinese Exclusion Act 1882

1882

Congress would limit Chinese Immigrants from entering the country. Those from China would immigrate to the United States due to the instability back home in China. This time also saw jobs on railroads and the Gold Rush too in states such as California.

Naturalization Act 1907

1907

This act would say "any American woman who marries a foreigner shall that the nationality of her husband." This would make the women's citizenship that of her husband's. At the time women were not classified as individual citizens in the United States and were under their husbands citizenship.

Immigration Act of 1917

Feb 5, 1917

Congress would pass this act which is often called the Asiatic Barred Zone Act. The act would ban Asians and other non-white people from coming to the United States. It was to prevent those who were seen as undesirable from entering and migrating to the United States. Immigration writing tests and other categories were imposed to reduce the immigration of Asians.

19th Amendment

Jun 4, 1919

"The rights of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of sex." This Amendment solidified women as citizens with their right to vote and were protected by the rights under the US Constitution.

Emergency Quota Act 1921

1921

United States Congress passed the act to establish immigrant quota numbers and limit incoming immigrants in the from the East. The number of immigrants allowed in was 3% that of foreign born US citizens in the country. This was made to reduce incoming immigrant numbers to control population.

United States vs. Bhagat Singh Thind

1923

Stated that South Asian Indians as "non-white." This would revoke Indians who had already obtained citizenship as prosecutors would argue they obtained citizenship illegally.

Displaced Persons Act 1948-1950

1948

This was the authorization for a short time for the admission of 200,000 European's who were displaced from the war to come to the United States. The act was detailed to discriminate against those of Jewish descent from Poland and the Soviet Union.

Internal Security Act 1950

1950

The act created SACB which the Attorney General could determine and organization(if it was determined to be Communist) to report to the Justice Department and submit information to prove they were not Communist. Another part was if during a time of emergency the president could arrest or detain those thought of sabotage and or espionage. In response to the Cold War rights of the American people were tightened in response to fear of Communism.

Refugee Act 1980

1980

Raised the capacity for refuges to enter the country. The number would go from 17,400 to 50,000. The act would also require annual conversations with Congress and the President. More than 3,000,000 refugees were admitted to the United States and was seen as a huge humanitarian victory.

Immigration Reform and Control Act 1986

Nov 6, 1986

Congress and President Ronald Reagan would sign the act. This act would require employers to verify their employees immigration status whether it was legal or illegal. It would also make it illegal for the labor of illegal immigrants knowingly. This act was made to increase border security and give more jobs to current American citizens.