Evolution of the national citizenry

By bbrown85@dtcc.edu

  • Declaration of Independence

    The Declaration of Independence proclaimed that 'all men are created equal,' yet in practice, citizenship was largely limited to white, land-owning men. This set the stage for the nation's evolving definitions of citizenship

  • Naturalization Act of 1790

    The first law on naturalization in the U.S., this act limited citizenship to 'free white persons' of 'good character.' It excluded Black, Indigenous, and other non-white people, setting racial boundaries for citizenship

  • Abolition of Slavery-13th Amendment

    The 13th Amendment was ratified, abolishing slavery but not yet granting full rights of citizenship to Black Americans

  • 14th Amendment-Citizenship Clause

    This amendment was ratified, defining U.S. citizenship to include all persons born or naturalized in the U.S., protecting formerly enslaved people under law

  • Naturalization Act of 1870

    This act expanded naturalization to people of African descent but continued to exclude Asian immigrants, reinforcing racial limitations

  • Chinese Exclusion Act

    This law was enacted, prohibiting Chinese laborers from immigrating and denying Chinese immigrants the right to naturalize

  • Indian Citizenship Act

    Congress passed this act, granting citizenship to all Native Americans born within the United States, though voting restrictions remained in many states

  • Repeal of the Chinese Exclusion Act

    The Chinese Exclusion Act was repealed during WWII, allowing Chinese immigrants to naturalize

  • Immigration and Nationality Act (McCarran-Walter Act)

    This act removed race-based restrictions, enabling immigrants of all racial backgrounds to become U.S. citizens, though some limitations continued

  • Immigration and Nationality Act (Hart-Celler Act)

    Signed by President Lyndon B. Johnson, this act abolished the national origins quota, increasing immigration from non-European countries and diversifying citizenship.

  • immigration Reform and Control Act (IRCA)

    Signed into law, IRCA granted amnesty to certain undocumented immigrants, allowing them to apply for citizenship under specific conditions

  • USA PATRIOT Act

    response to 9/11, this act expanded the power to detain and deport non-citizens suspected of terrorism, affecting immigrant communities and citizenship considerations.

  • Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA)

    President Obama established DACA through an executive action, allowing certain undocumented individuals brought to the U.S. as children to remain temporarily, though without a path to citizenship