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English Settlers Arrive in America
Jamestown is settled, becomes first permanent English Colony in North America. Built by 104 English Men and Boys. Virginia Indians had already settled here, there were estimated to be around 14,000 natives in the region. -
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Immigration
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Importation of African Slaves
Beginning of slavery in the colonies. Twenty African slaves were brought over on a ship. They became indentured servants and eventually became free. By the end of the colonial period there were five-hundred thousand Africans, a total of 20% of the population. -
Oath of Allegiance
On this date Pennsylvania Governor, Williams Keith, made German immigrants take an oath of allegiance stating their origin, identity, and intentions while living in Pennsylvania. -
Oath of Allegiance a Dead Act
The Governor made this oath with the intention of keeping foreigners out. The act was being ignored by ship masters whom were continuously bringing new immigrants over. -
Plantation Act
The British Parliament passed this act to encourage immigration to the American colonies. This new law provided exception to Quakers and Jews, but not to Roman Catholics. -
Importation of Slaves from Africa no longer allowed
Congress bans the importation of slaves from Africa -
Native Americans not considered American Citizens
Native Americans were forced to give up thier land to the federal government and move west of the Mississippi River. The Native Americans were born in the United States, unlike the new comers. -
Irish Immigration
Irish begin coming to America to settle. Over the next one-hundred years, 5 million Irish citizens will settle in America. -
Naturalization of Germans and Irish
In order to gain voters, immigrants would receive citizenship papers in exchange for voting. -
Treaty of Guadalupe-Hidalgo
Treaty of Guadalupe-Hidalgo Results in US Acquiring Colorado, Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, California, and Parts of Utah and Nevada from Mexico, this ended the Mexican-American war. -
Congress Alone Can Regulate Immigration
Supreme court decides that only congress can regulate immigration. -
Homestead Act of 1862
Congress offered to sell public land to citizens and immigrants for $1.25 or less. The idea was to attract people to the Midwest and West. -
First Congressional attempt to centralize immigration control
A Commissioner of Immigration was appointed by the US President -
Gold Rush
Chinese immigration increases rapidly during the Gold Rush -
Ellis Island
Ellis Island opens as an immigrant checkpoint for entry. -
14th Amendment
The Supreme Court confirmed that the 14th amendment allows citizenship to any person born in the United States. -
Organic Act
Hawaii grants citizenship to anyone born in Hawaii before its 1898 annexation, including those of Japanese and Chinese ancestry. -
US Border Patrol
American establishes the US Border Patrol. -
Immigration Act of 1990
The limits on illegal immigration to the United States were increased. -
Minuteman Project
Recruitment of citizens to patrol the US-Mexico border. -
SB 1070
Arizona Bill signed into law. It is now illegal to be in the state without paperwork. Legal citizens must have paperwork on them.
