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The Settling of Tubac, by the Spanish
Tubac was a small Piman village, which soon became a mission farm and ranch. In the 1730's, Spanish Colonists began to settle the Tubac area, irrigating and farming the lands along the Santa Cruz River, and raising livestock. The Presidio of San Ignacio de Tubac was established by the Spanish Army in 1752 at the site of present-day Tubac, Arizona. -
The Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo
The Mexican War began on April 25, 1846 end with the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo. This treaty gave the United States everything North of the Gila River, which included most of present day Arizona. In exchange Mexico recieved 15 million dollars. -
The Gadsden Purchase
The Gadsden Purchase was an agreement between the United States and Mexico, finalized in 1854, in which the United States agreed to pay Mexico $10 million for a 29,670 square mile portion of Mexico that later became part of Arizona and New Mexico. Gadsden’s Purchase provided the land necessary for a southern transcontinental railroad and attempted to resolve conflicts that lingered after the Mexican-American War. -
The Mexican Revolution
The Revolution began with a call to arms on 20th November 1910 to overthrow the current ruler and dictator Porfirio Díaz Mori. Díaz was an ambitious president, keen to develop Mexico into an industrial and modernised country. While he worked on implementing a capitalist society building factories, dams, and roads the rural workers and peasants suffered greatly. This Revolution caused thousands of Mexicans to move north to the United States for opportunities for better jobs and wages. -
Border Patrol was Established
Border Patrol was established as part of the Immigration Bureau in the Department of Labor through the Labor Appropriation Act of 1924. The original border patrolers patrolled on horseback. -
American Repatriation
After the Stock Market Crash of 1929, about a million people of Mexican descent were sent to Mexico without due process. Around 60 percent of those sent to Mexico were American citizens. -
The Bracero Program
Brought around 5 million Mexicans to the United States to temporarily work. Was created when the United States signed the Mexican Farm Labor Agreement with Mexico. Was created due to the lack of workers in the U.S. due to most men being off fighting World War II. Ended on December 1, 1964. -
14th Amendment was Ratified
The 14th Amendment granted citizenship to "all persons born or naturalized in the United States". -
Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986
The Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986 made it illegal to hire undocumented workers. It required employers to attest to their employees' immigration status. It also included an amnesty program for aliens who had entered the United States before January 1, 1982. -
North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA)
The North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) came into effect, it's purpose was to lay the foundation for strong economic growth and rising prosperity for Canada, the United States, and Mexico. Later in the year after it came into effect the Mexican economy crashed which then resulted in millions of illegal immigrants coming to the United States. -
Passing of Proposition 203
Voters endorse a requirement for English immersion in schools, banning bilingual education. It passes 63 percent to 37 percent. -
The Passing of Arizona Proposition 200
Proposition 200, the "Arizona Taxpayer and Citizen Protection Act," was an Arizona state initiative passed in 2004 that basically requires persons to provide proof of citizenship to register to vote. The requirement to provide proof of citizenship to register to vote was later ruled invalid in federal court. -
The Secure Fence Act
U.S. President George W. Bush signed the Secure Fence Act of 2006 into law stating, “This bill will help protect the American people. This bill will make our borders more secure. It is an important step toward immigration reform." It promised the construction of 700 more miles of border fence. This act also allowed for surveillance technology to be used at the border. -
The Passing of SB 1070
SB 1070 required immigrants to carry paperwork proving their immigration status at all times. AZ law enforcement were required to check the immigration status of anyone they "reasonably suspected" to be in the country illegally. Also, it was a state crime to be in the country illegally. This law stirred up a national debate regarding immigration. -
Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals
It allows undocumented immigrants who came to the U.S. as children to stay in the country. These illegal immigrants will not be deported if they came to the U.S. before age 16, have lived in the United States since June 15, 2007, are currently in school or the military, have clean criminal records and are under age 30.
