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15 Important Historical Immigration Events in the U.S.
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Beginning of Colonial Immigration
First European immigrants, led by the Spanish and French, began to form colonies in what is known as the United States of America now. -
Alien and Sedation Act
These acts increased the residency requirement for American citizenship from five to fourteen years, authorized the president to imprison or deport aliens considered "dangerous to the peace and safety of the United States" and restricted speech critical of the government. They were signed by President John Adams -
14th Amendment to the Constitution
The 14th Amendment to the Constitution gave citizenship to “all persons born or naturalized in the United States”. This included slaves that were recently freed. It also prohibited states from denying any individual "life, liberty or property, without due process of law" or to "deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws.” -
Chinese Exclusion Act
It was signed by President Chester Arthur restricting a ten year absolute free immigration of Chinese laborers. -
Contract Labor Law
It was an Act that prohibited American individuals and organizations from drafting labor contracts with individuals prior to their immigration to the United States. It also prohibited ship captains from transporting immigrants under labor contracts. -
The Bereau of Immigration and Naturalization
It was ruled by the Supreme Court that immigration was a federal issue and the Bereau of Immigration and Naturalization was developed under the treasury department. This office was responsible for admitting, rejecting, and processing all immigrants seeking admission to the United States and for implementing national immigration policy. -
Ellis Island
Was an island opened by the Federal Government as a way of screening incoming immigrants. -
1917 Immigration Act
It is also known as the Asiatic Barred Zone Act. It restricted those that were considered undesirable from other countries from immigrating. It also barred all immigrants from Asia from immigrating into the country. One other important addition was the requirment of a literacy test to enter the country. -
Quota Act of 1924
It changed the quotas from the Quota Act of 1924 from 3% of each nationality present in the U.S. to 2%. -
Border Patrol Established
On May 28, 1924, Congress passed the Labor Appropriation Act of 1924, officially establishing the U.S. Border Patrol for the purpose of securing the borders between inspection stations. -
Magnuson Act
Allowed for Chinese immigrants already residing in the U.S. to become naturalized citizens and a quota for 105 immigrants annually was set. -
Displaced Persons Act
This act helped those individuals who were victims of persecution by the Nazi government or who were fleeing persecution, and someone who could not go back to their country because of fear of persecution based on race, religion or political opinions. -
Immigration and Nationality Act
This Act moved away from excluding immigrants based simply upon country of origin/race. -
Refugee Act
Was a comprehensive policy to establish resettlement opportunities to refugess. -
Immigration Reform and Control Act
It granted amnesty to certain iillegal mmigrants, made it illegal to hire illegal immigrants, established sanctions for emloyers knowingly hiring illegal immigrants and legalized certain seasonal agricultural illegal immigrants. -
Patriot Act
The USA PATRIOT Act is an acronym for "Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism." It was created to give law enforcement more tools to prevent future terrorist attacks. It also increases penalties for terrorists and anyone who aids them. -
SB 1070
SB 1070 allows for penalties relating to immigration to law enforcement including trespassing, harboring and transporting illegal immigrants, alien registration documents, employer sanctions, and human smuggling.
