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Naturalization Act of 1790
This is the first rules to be followed by the United States giving Citizenship to "Free White People -
Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo
This is after the Mexican war and it extends citizenship to all those who are in territories annexed by the United States. -
The 14th Amendment
Fourteenth Amendment grants that all persons born or naturalized in the United States are citizens and are guaranteed “equal protection of the laws". This is a big step because it is added to our constitution -
Naturalization Act of 1870
Extends naturalization rights to former African slaves not born in the United States; Asian immigrants remain excluded from citizenship. -
United States v. Wong Kim Ark
U.S. Supreme Court rules that any child born in the United States, regardless of race or parents’ citizenship status, is an American citizen. -
Jones-Shafroth Act
Grants U.S. citizenship to residents of Puerto Rico. -
Indian Citizenship Act
This law extends U.S. citizenship to all Native Americans. -
Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986
Grants amnesty to millions of individuals living in the United States who entered the country before January 1, 1982.