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Europeans Arrive in America
Althought the dexact ate is unclear, 1620 was the year that the supposed first European immgrants arrived in North America. They traveled across the North Atlantic Ocean and landed in present-day Plymouth, Massachusetts. This is widely accepted as the start of white settlement in North America. -
The Constitution Takes Effect
On this date, the Constitution of the United States of America changes American government forever, replacing the weak Articles of Confederation. With this document, English settlers institute a lasting government in the country they landed in over 100 years ago. -
Naturalization Act of 1790
The Naturalization Act of 1790 states "any alien, being a free white person, may be admitted to become a citizen of. U.S.". This begins the white settler's racial discrimintation against immigrants who are just like their ancestors. -
Naturalization Act of 1795
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Puts additional restrictions on who becomes a citizen, as earlier decided in the Naturalization Act of 1790. Now, to become a citizen, immigrants must be a resident for at least 5 years and release any alliegence to another country. -
Act to Prohibit Importation of Slaves
Congress regulates the importation of any persons of color "with the intent to hold, sell or dispose of as a slave or to be held in service or labor". -
Treaty of Guadelupe Hidalgo
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Gives U.S. control over southwestern states, including Arizona, California and Texas. Over 100,000 people who claimed to be Mexicans were given the option of U.S. citizenship and over 200,000 Native Americans were taken under control of the government. -
14th Ammendment ratified
Declares that any persons born or naturalized in the United States is a citizen and may not be denied their basic rights of life, liberty, or property without due process of law or be denied equal protections of the law. -
Immigration Act of 1875
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First law to put restriction on who enters the United States. It prohibited the importation of Chinese laborers and Chinese women "for the purposes of prostitution". This was designed to decrease the number of Chinses children who would be born citizens under the 14th Ammendment. -
Chinese Exlusion Act of 1882
More restrictions are put on who may enter the U.S. as Chinese laborers are exluded from immigrating for 10 years. -
Immigration Act of 1882
Applying more restrictions, requires froeigners entering at US posts to pay a 50 cent tax and denies entry to convicts, lunatics, or ublic dangers. -
Emergency Quota Act of 1921
Limits immigration to 350,000 a year. -
Immigration Act of 1924
Puts further limits on immigration. Limts to 165,000 a year with no more than 2% from each country of immigrants that were living in the US in 1890. Also in 1924, the Border Patrol is established. -
The Alien Registration Act of 1940
Further restriction on mmigration. Requires registration and fingerprints of any immigrant over the age of 14. -
Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996
Creates further restrictions by creating filing deadlines for asylum cases, allows officers to deny entry for asylum applicants, and increases the number of crimes that make a legal resident eligable for deportation. Also, expands the Border Patrol. -
Secure Fence Act of 2006
Actual physical restrictions are put in place as a 700 mile fence is put up along the US Mexico border. -
Arizona SB 170
Allows officers to pull over anyone with "reasonable suspicion" of being an illegal imigrant. They may be deported if not carrying the proper documentation.
