1565 1607 first european settlements established in the us 1591

Immigration Timeline

By bmh82

  • 1607

    1607
    English colonists land in Jamestown, Virginia under the London Company patent

  • 1619

    1619
    The first slaves arrive in Jamestown

  • 1620

    1620
    Mayflower anchors off Plymouth, and England colonists set sail for the New World

  • 1786

    1786
    First Indian reservation established

  • 1790

    1790
    The government requires two years of residency for naturalization

  • 1798

    1798
    Naturalization Act, Alien Enemies Act

  • 1808

    1808
    Congress bans importation of slaves

  • 1845

    1845
    Irish potato famine hits and almost 500,000 migrate to America

  • 1849

    1849
    California cold rush sparks the first mass migration of the Chinese

  • 1876

    1876
    Congress investigates Chinese migration

  • 1880

    1880
    Due to many issues in Italy, nearly four million Italians migrate to America

  • 1900

    1900
    Congress establishes a civil government in Puerto Rico, the Jones Act grants U.S. citizenship to island inhabitants. U.S. citizens can travel freely between the mainland and the island without a passport.

  • 1917

    1917
    U.S. government passes the Espionage Act

  • 1924

    1924
    Immigration Act is put in place, limits number of immigrants allowed entry in the U.S.

  • 1965

    1965
    Immigration Act of 1965. Abolished previous quota of foreigners allowed in the U.S.