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Naturalization Act of 1790
The first instance of citizenship laws being put into place. Discrimination for immigrants was already prevalent as the law was put in place for free white people of good moral standing. -
Annexation of Texas
The U.S. annexed Texas, a leading factor in the Mexican-American war even though Texas had declared independence from Mexico. -
Mexican Cession of 1848
The Mexican Cession is the event that gave the U.S. the territory of AZ after the Mexican-American war. AZ was not yet a state. -
14th Amendment
The 14th Amendment was put in place and now people born in the country were automatically considered citizens, despite their parent's citizenship. This also clarified the fact that black people were in fact citizens and that they should be treated as equal. -
Immigration Act of 1917
Also known as the "Literacy Act," the first step to restricting immigration rather than regulating it. -
U.S. Border Patrol Founded
The U.S. Border Patrol was founded to prevent illegal entries from Mexico and Canada -
Mexican Repatriation
The forced return of Mexican people living in the U.S. to Mexico without any process, largely discriminatory and generally without acknowledging whether or not the people being forced were actually American citizens or not. -
Immigration and Nationality Act of 1965
Abolished the immigration quotas that were in place for the U.S. -
Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986
Put into place to make it illegal to hire illegal immigrants knowingly, but also made it so that immigrants living in the country illegally from before 1982 were now legal citizens. -
United States v. Verdugo-Urquidez
Court case in which Verdugo-Urquidez (a Mexican citizen) was arrested and brought to the U.S. and while in the U.S., officials decided to search his home in Mexico. He objected as the evidence they found was obtained without a warrent. The court rule in his favor. -
9/11 Terrorist Attacks
Created a public fear of immigrants from anywhere. Because of the fear that arose, America became largely xenophobic -
Arizona Proposition 200 (2004)
Act that then required people of Arizona to provide proof of citizenship when going to vote and to present photo I.D. before receiving a ballot. -
Arizona SB 1070
Act that made aliens that were in the U.S. for over 30 days to register with the government. This also enacted that it is considered a misdemeanor for not having your immigration papers on you at all times. This is well known for allowing police officers to racially profile people for "routine traffic stops" under the 'suspicion' that they are illegal aliens. -
Border Security, Economic Opportunity, and Immigration Modernization Act of 2013
Added more border patrol officers as well as a way for undocumented immigrants to obtain legal status and eventual citizenship. -
Arizona v. The Inter Tribal Council of Arizona, Inc.
Overturned aspects of the Arizona Proposition 200 by the supreme court, specifically revolving around the proof of citizenship requirement.
