-
1607 - Beginning of Colonial Immigration; English Settlers Arrive in America
It was during this time that the settlements on the James River began and people from Europe started to colonize in the United States. Although people would not fully start to come over in larger numbers untl the 17th century, these people were the first to start the immigration trend. Roy L. Garis Immigration Restriction: A Study of the Opposition to and Regulation of Immigration into the United States, 1927 -
1619 - Importation of African Slaves Begins
During this time huge ships were coming to the colonies from Africa carrying salves that would be sold to work for the Europeans in the fields and in their homes. Larry A. Greene, PhD Lenworth Gunther, PhD The New Jersey African- American History Curriculum Guide: Grades 9 to 12, 1997 -
1795- Naturalization Act
During this time the amount of time that it took to be realized as a citizen changed from 2 years on to 5 years. If they wanted to change their citizenship they needed to publically denounce their old country to be loyal to the new. For people who came from other countries with nobility status had to even denounce their title as well. Eileen Bolger "Background History of the United States Naturalization Process," www.colorado.gov. -
1848- California Gold Rush
Due to gold being found in California everyone, including people from around the world came in order to try to strike it rich and live the life of luxury. -
1848 - Treaty of Guadalupe-Hidalgo Results in United States Acquiring Colorado, Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, California, and Parts of Utah and Nevada
During this time after the end of the Mexican- American war because of this we obtained Colorado, Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, California, and parts of Utah and Nevada from Mexico. All the people that were living there were able to become citizens of the United States. Ronald T. Takaki, PhD A Different Mirror, A History of Multicultural America, 1993 -
1849 - Supreme Court Rules That Congress Alone Can Regulate Immigration
During this time a act was passed from congress stating that state goverments alone could not regulate immigration and that only congress could. Roger Daniels, PhD Guarding the Golden Door, American Immigration Policy and Immigrants Since 1882, 2004 -
1862 - Homestead Act of 1862 Passed to Encourage Westward Migration
Money has always been an issue and dueing the Homestead Act of 1862, the law had land at low prices and this attracted everyone towards the west in great numbers. Sonia G. Benson "Homestead Act of 1862," U.S. Immigration and Migration Primary Sources, Ed. Sarah Hermsen, 2004
First Homestead Act land certificate issued to Daniel Freeman for 160 acres.
Source: US National Archives, www.archives.gov -
Period: to
1875-1880 - State Immigration Laws Become Unconstitutional; Congress Begins to Bring Immigration Under Direct Federal Control for the First Time
"Congress began to bring immigration under direct federal control for the first time. It could no longer rely on volunteerism or informal processes to manage this powerful social force." Kermit L. Hall, PhD "Immigration," The Oxford Companion to the Supreme Court of the United States, 2005 -
The Great Wave!
Due to the opportunities that people saw avaliable in the USA and the hard times hitting other countries people from all over started immigrating to the US. NewspaperARCHIVE.com "History of American Immigration," www.immigrationarchive.com
Immigrants arriving on a ship from Europe, ca. 1906
Source: Latin American Studies, www.latinamericanstudies.org -
1886 - Statue of Liberty Unveiled; "The Huddled Masses Yearning To Be Free" Invited to Immigrate
The following is the 1883 poem by Emma Lazarus titled "The New Colossus" engraved on the bronze plaque inside the statue's pedestal:
"Not like the brazen giant of Greek fame,
With conquering limbs astride from land to land;
Here at our sea-washed, sunset gates shall stand
A mighty woman with a torch, whose flame
Is the imprisoned lightning, and her name
Mother of Exiles. From her beacon-hand
Glows world-wide welcome; her mild eyes command
The air-bridged harbor that twin cities frame..." -
1906 - Naturalization Act Creates Bureau of Immigration and Naturalization
Congress passed an act (34 Stat. 596) creating a new Bureau to deal with all things of on the level of immigrations. Eileen Bolger "Background History of the United States Naturalization Process," www.colorado.gov -
1964 Bracero Program Ends
In this event, the US goverment was not intrested in the immigrants coming over into the United States to work. This was because they did not have papers and they were undocumented immigrants. -
Immigration Reform & Control Act
THis act was put in to place because companies were hiring illgeal immigrants to do work at a lower pay and no benefits. It was hurting the job market for the people who were/are here legally. The Act was passed in order to try to get rid of illgral immigration. -
1882- Immigration Exclusion Act Prohibits Immigration of Criminals, Poor, and Mentally Ill
For anyone that was immigrating to the United States that seemed like they could not take care of themself would be taxed so they could be provided for. This was very costly Paul Lombardo, PhD, JD "Eugenics Laws Restricting Immigration," www.eugenicsarchive.org -
1921 - Emergency Quote Act
This Act restricted the number of immigrants that were allowed into the country.
