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Late 1700s - Early 1800s:
1776: The Declaration of Independence proclaims the rights of "all men," but in practice, citizenship is limited to white, property-owning males. -
Late 1700s - Early 1800s:
The Naturalization Act of 1790 establishes the first federal criteria for U.S. citizenship, limiting it to "free white persons" who have resided in the U.S. for at least two years. -
Early to Mid-1800s:
The Dred Scott v. Sandford Supreme Court decision denies citizenship to African Americans, whether enslaved or free, effectively excluding them. -
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Early to Mid-1800s:
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Early to Mid-1800s:
The 14th Amendment is ratified, granting citizenship to "all persons born or naturalized in the United States," including formerly enslaved individuals. It overturns the Dred Scott decision. -
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Late 1800s - Early 1900s:
1882: The Chinese Exclusion Act restricts immigration of Chinese laborers, effectively denying them the opportunity for U.S. citizenship.
1898: In the United States v. Wong Kim Ark case, the Supreme Court confirms that those born in the U.S. to non-citizen parents are U.S. citizens by birthright, regardless of their parents' ethnicity. -
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Early to Mid-1900s:
1924: The Indian Citizenship Act grants citizenship to all Native Americans born in the U.S., though some states continued to deny them voting rights until later years.
1942: Executive Order 9066 leads to the internment of Japanese Americans during World War II, despite many being U.S. citizens. -
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Mid to Late 1900s:
1952: The Immigration and Nationality Act (McCarran-Walter Act) eliminates racial restrictions on U.S. immigration and naturalization, enabling greater diversity in the citizenship process.
1965: The Immigration and Nationality Act of 1965 abolishes the discriminatory national origins quota system, allowing increased immigration from Asia, Africa, and Latin America. -
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Late 20th Century to Present:
1967: The Loving v. Virginia Supreme Court case overturns laws prohibiting interracial marriage, promoting a more inclusive view of American citizenship.
1986: The Immigration Reform and Control Act grants amnesty to undocumented immigrants, providing a pathway to citizenship for many.