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1790
Congress declared a preference for immigrants from Europe. Passed a law defining who could become a citizen if a person was not born here: Citizenship was only possible for a "free white person". -
Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882
Said that no Chinese Laborer could enter the country for 10 years. Was renewed several times, was still in effect by world war II -
1880 to 1920
A very long period of Immigration, as 25 million people entered the country. Most immigrants were seen as very different. Outsiders. -
Quota Act of 1921
Congress sets up quotas favoring immigrants from northwest Europe. -
Immigration Act of 1924
Introduced a quota system by country, and that each country's immigrants were limited to 2 percent of foreign born residents, from that country listed in the US census of 1890. -
1965 Immigration Reform Act
Abolished the quota system based on national origin. -
1986 - Immigration Reform and Control Act
Penalized employers for knowingly hiring undocumented immigrants, but it gives amnesty to some undocumented immigrants allowing them a path to eventually apply to citizenship -
Immigration Act of 1990
Said that no country could account for more than 7 percent of total immigrants -
Immigration Reform Act of 1996
A new law expands the U.S. Border Patrol and stiffens penalties for false papers. -
2007 Immigration Activities
Bill proposed to fill short-term labor needs through a guest worker program and strengthened border control.
Gave way to a path to citizenship to those already here. Was voted down by senate.
