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Naturalization Act
The Naturalization Act increased the period necessary for immigrants to become naturalized citizens in the United States from 5 years to 14 years. This is interesting because many people still struggle with the length of time to immigrate. http://library.uwb.edu/static/USimmigration/1798_alien_laws.html -
The Steerage Act
This act regulated the passenger ships and vessels of immigrants coming to the United States. This is important because before, there was no sort of regulation. http://www.sunnycv.com/steve/ar/immig/steerage.html -
Mexican-American War
This was the first U.S. armed conflict chiefly fought on foreign soil. This is very important because it divided the two countries and demonstrates why America was so hesitant when allowing Mexicans to immigrate there. http://www.history.com/topics/mexican-american-war -
The Treaty of Guadalupe-Hidalgo
This treaty between the United States and Mexico stated that the US can obtain what is now Arizona, California, Colorado, New Mexico, Texas, and certain areas of Utah and Nevada. http://www.history.com/topics/treaty-of-guadalupe-hidalgo -
The Homestead Act
The Homestead Act encouraged Western migration by providing settlers 160 acres of public land. In exchange, homesteaders paid a small filing fee and were required to complete five years of continuous residence before receiving ownership of the land. This allowed non-citizens and immigrants travel to the West to start a new life. https://www.loc.gov/rr/program/bib/ourdocs/Homestead.html -
The Chinese Exclusion Act
This Act was one of the most significant restrictions on free immigration in US history, prohibiting all immigration of Chinese laborers. http://www.history.com/topics/chinese-exclusion-act -
Immigration Act
A new Immigration Act that stated a 50 cents tax would be mandatory on all aliens landing at United States ports. The United States used this act to start picking and choosing who they would allow into their country.
http://library.uwb.edu/static/USimmigration/1882_immigration_act.html -
The Statue of Liberty
On this day, She was made visible to the people who were "yearning" to come to the United States. She was a symbol of freedom to those people. -
Ellis Island Opens
Ellis Island opens as an immigrant entry checkpoint. About twelve-million people entered the United States through Ellis Island. -
Establishment of U.S. Border Patrol
The United States Border Patrol was established to control illegal immigration. -
Magnuson Immigration Act
This Act allowed the Chinese to become United States Citizens. -
War Brides
This War Brides Act was the first of many measures to allow US soldiers to bring their alien brides and families into the United States following World War II. http://library.uwb.edu/static/USimmigration/1945_war_brides_act.html -
Cuban Adjustment Act
President Kennedy allowed Cubans to come overt Miami in refugee camps to help them escape the war. They needed a place to be safe and this was the best option. This allowed Cuban immigrants to make their way to America, and Miami is still to this day known as little Cuba. https://www.ssa.gov/policy/docs/ssb/v25n3/v25n3p3.pdf -
The Immigration Reform and Control Act (IRCA)
This act gave legal status to qualifying illegal aliens who entered the United States before January 1, 1982. -
The Illegal Immigrant Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act
This act gave the Central Americans rights to become legal residents of the United States. -
LIFE Act Amendment
The LIFE Act (Legal Immigration Family Equality) helped immediate relatives of U.S. citizens and green card holders to adjust their status to permanent residency without leaving the United states regardless of how they got there. It also offered more work visa opportunities. -
Safe Neighborhoods Act
This law allows any law enforcement officer to ask somebody who looks of Mexican ethnicity if they have a green card on their person. If they are asked, they should be able to prove their citizenship. This caused a major issue in Arizona of Mexican-Americans being racially profiled.
http://www.ncsl.org/research/immigration/analysis-of-arizonas-immigration-law.aspx -
DREAM Act
The Development, Relief, and Education for Minors. This allows undocumented students who immigrated when they were children and graduated from high school to attend college without any penalty. Unfortunately this law has not yet passed.
