Immigration in Arizona

Naturalization Act of 1790

Mar 26, 1790

This law limited citizenship only to those who were white and of good character, so anyone of color was excluded from having citizenship.

Naturalization Act of 1795

Jan 29, 1795

This act repealed the act of 1790, and it required immigrants to have resided in the country for five years before seeking citizenship.

Naturalization Act of 1870

Jul 14, 1870

This act finally considered African Americans as citizens, but Native Americans and other non-whites were still excluded from citizenship.

Chinese Exclusion Act

May 6, 1882

This act prohibited Chinese immigrants who wanted to come to the country to work.

Naturalization Act of 1906

Sep 27, 1906

This act required immigrants to learn English in order to become citizens.

Immigration Act of 1907

Feb 20, 1907

This act restricted the amount of immigrants coming into the country before and after WWI. It also restricted people with a disability or disease from entering the country.

Immigration Act of 1917

Feb 5, 1917

This act prevented "unwanted" immigrants, such as homosexuals, insane persons, beggars, etc., from entering the country.

Immigration Act of 1918

Oct 16, 1918

This act allowed the government to deport individuals viewed as "anarachists" without any due process.

Immigration Act of 1924

May 26, 1924

This act limited the number of immigrants who could come in depending how many immigrants of that background were already residing within the country.

Nationality Act of 1940

Oct 14, 1940

This act defined citizenship through birth, citizenship through U.S. territories such as the Virgin Islands, and who was eligible for citizenship and how it could be lost or terminated.

Magnuson Act

Dec 17, 1943

This act allowed Chinese immigrants to enter the country, and it allowed those already living in the country to petition for citizenship.

Cuban Refugee Adjustment Act

Nov 2, 1966

This act allowed citizens of Cuba to immigrate to the U.S. through a refugee status, worker's status, or any other permanent resident status.

Immigration and Nationality Act of 1965

Jun 30, 1968

This act replaced the policy of the 1920s and allowed immigrants with a particular skill or family who live in the country to immigrate into the U.S.

Immigration Act of 1990

Nov 29, 1990

This act repealed and revised old immigration acts in order to form a new naturalization policy that is less restrictive.

REAL ID Act

May 11, 2005

This act required citizens to have specific data in order to obtain a driver's license. The act was established due to fear of further terrorist attacks.