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Immigration History Timeline
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English Settlers Arrive in America
A group of 100 Englishmen, the Virginia Company, founded the first permanent English settlement in North America on the banks of the James River. -
Pennsylvania’s Immigration Law
This law was passed in fear that the peace and security of the province was endangered by so many foreigners coming in, ignorant of the language, settling together and making a separate people. A tax of forty shilling was laid on each immigrant by a law passed in 1729 in order to prevent sick and diseased persons. -
Aritcles of Confederation and Perpetual Union
The question of citizenship and the naturalization of immigrants remained with the individual states. Pennsylvania allowed any foreigner of 'good character,' who took an oath of allegiance to the state, to acquire property and after one year's residency become a citizen. New York followed Pennsylvania's model. Maryland required two years of residency. Etc. -
Treaty of Guadalupe-Hidalgo
This ended the Mexican-American War allowing the United States to acquire Colorado, Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, California, and parts of Utah and Nevada from Mexico. 80,000 Mexicans living in the territory were allowed to remain and receive citizenship. -
Chinese Exclusion Act Passes
This act provided an absolute 10-year moratorium on Chinese labor immigration. For the first time, Federal law proscribed entry of an ethnic working group on the premise that it endangered the good order of certain localities. -
14th Amendment
'All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States.' -
Mexican Revolution
President Porfirio Diaz revolted.and was overthrown, but replacement of his government did not end the Mexican Revolution. The resulting chaos drove thousands of Mexicans north. The United States offered jobs that payed higher than Mexico -
Mexican “Repatriation Act”
People of Mexican ancestry faced varying forms of harassment and intimidation such as raids, withheld jos, threatened public aid, and forced departures. -
Bracero Program Begins
the US government now began to organize and channel huge numbers of migrant workers—braceros—across its border. This phase, which lasted 22 years, molded a unique type of migrant: young, male temporary laborers from rural areas who went to live in the US and work in agriculture. -
Bracero Program Ends
Migrant laborers continued to arrive without papers and outside of negotiated agreements. Thus began the era of undocumented migration by 'irregular' migrants who worked temporarily under the threat of deportation. -
US Department of Defense Expand Military Support Along Borders
After the attacks of September 11, 2001, military support was expanded to include counterterrorism activities. The Department of Defense's role in counterdrug and counterterrorism efforts had increased in border security. -
SB 1070 Signed into Law
The law states will be a crime to be in the country illegally, and legal immigrants will be required to carry paperwork proving their status. Arizona police will generally be required to question anyone they 'reasonably suspect' of being undocumented. -
Secure Border Initiative Canceled
Janet Napolitano on canceled the controversial virtual fence along the U.S. border with Mexico, citing technical problems, cost overruns and schedule delays since its inception in 2005. -
US Supreme Court Upholds Centerpiece of 2010 Arizona Immigration Law
The provision requires state law enforcement officials to determine the immigration status of anyone they stop or arrest if they have reason to suspect that the individual might be in the country illegally. -
President Obama Takes Action to Prevent Deportation of Millions of Illegal Immigrants
President Barack Obama eased the threat of deportation for some 4.7 million undocumented immigrants. Obama's plan would let 4.4 million who are parents of U.S. citizens and legal permanent residents remain in the country temporarily. Those undocumented residents could apply legally for jobs but not vote or qualify for insurance under the president's healthcare law. -
Secure Fence Act
The act authorizes the construction of hundreds of miles of double-layered fencing along the nation's Southern border. It also stops the unlawful entry of undocumented immigrants, terrorists, and contraband into the U.S. using both personnel and surveillance technology.
