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Colonial Immigration Starts
Immigrants discovered the James River allowing them to migrat to America. -
African Slave Importation Begins
European settlers needed slaves to work in their homes and on their land; They imported these slaves as "indentured servants" . -
Bacon's Rebellion
Led by Nathaniel Bacon, Virginia Settlers rose up against Governor William Berkeley setting the stage for social movements by minorities throughout history. -
French and Indian War
The war was between British America and New France. It began as a regional conflict then developed into a worl-wide conflict. During the war, the French manipulated Indians as allies. The war changed economic, political, governmental and social relations between European powers, colonists, and the natives that inhabited the territories they claimed. -
Naturalization Act
Introduced the Declaration of Intention requirement which created a two-step naturalization process, and by conferring the status of citizen and not natural born citizen. The Act specified that naturalized citizenship was reserved only for free white people. It also changed the requirement in the 1790 Act of "good character" to read "good moral character." -
Foreign Slave Trade Becomes Illegal
About 50,000 slaves previously imported become the first illegal immigrants in the United States -
The Civil War
This war was fought because of opposing views on slavery between Northern and Southern parts of the United States. -
Chinese Exculsion Act
The prohibition of Chinese laborers migrating into the United States. -
Opening of Ellis Island
Located in New York, Ellis Island becomes the first checkpoint for Immigrants to enter into the United States -
U.S V Wong Kim Ark
Supreme Court rules that practically everyone born in the United States is a citizen of the U.S -
Creation of Border Patrol
Created to protect the border and keep illegal immigrants out which caused rage in many foreigners. -
Refugee Act
Established a systematic procedure for the admission of refugees into the United States. -
Secure America and Orderly Immigration Act
Introduced by Senators John McCain and Ted Kennedy, the act incorporated legalization, guest worker programs, and border enforcement components. -
Secure Fence Act
The bill stated that it would help protect the American people by making the borders more secure which created a stereotype that immigrants were dangerous criminals. -
Passage of Bill SB 1070
A controversial bill in Arizona that expanded the states authority to combat illegal immigration. Created much controversy and protest.
