Major Immigration events in US History

By ewilliams67
  • Period: to

    Immigration Timeline

  • Naturalization Act of 1790

    Naturalization Act of 1790 entitled "any alien, being a free white person may be admitted to become a United States citizen."

  • 1850 US Census

    In 1850 the United States Census surveyed the citizens based on "nativity" of the citizens' national origin. This was the first census that asked origin questions, in order to document immigration.

  • 1875 Immigration Act

    1875, United States Supreme Court declares immigration to be a matter of Federal Government. Before this act, individual states and territories were required to uphold all immigration laws and stipulations by themselves.

  • Chinese Exclusion Act

    The Chinese Exclusion Act was signed by congress in spring of 1882 and entailed a ten year "temporary" ban of Chinese labor immigration.

  • 1905-1915 Heaviest Influx of Migrants in US History

    From January 1, 1905 to December 31,1914, an estimated 10-13 million immigrants entered the United States. This is by far the largest influx in any ten year span in United States history. Italy, Ireland and Germany were the primary sources of people arriving.

  • World War I

    A global war originating in Europe that lasted from 28 July 1914 to 11 November 1918

  • Immigration Act of 1917

    This law, enacted by congress (overriding Woodrow Wilson's veto), entailed that people trying to immigrate had to pass a basic literary test to enter into the US.

  • Emergency Quota Act of 1921

    This law stated that once 3% of a countries total population had immigrated to the United States, no more people could immigrate from that country.

  • Border Patrol Created

    Congress passes a bill in which the Border Patrol is created. Their main purpose at the time was to track and monitor immigrant labor and help eliminate foreign threats to the American economy.

  • World War II

    A global war that lasted from 1939 to 1945, although related conflicts began earlier.

  • Top 3 Countries Immigrating to US 1820-1940

    Germany: 6,021,951
    Italy: 4,719,223
    Ireland: 4,580,557

  • Alien Registration Act of 1940

    Also known as the Smith Act, this law required all new immigrants over the age of 14 to be documented with finger prints and face possible deportation.

  • Top 3 Countries Immigrating to US 1941-1950

    Germany: 226,578
    Canada: 171,718
    U.K.: 139,306

  • Top 3 Countries Immigrating to US 1951-1960

    Germany: 477,765
    Canada: 377,952
    Mexico: 299,811

  • Hart-Celler Act of 1965

    This act ended the earlier ratification of the quota systems. After signing, a huge influx of immigrants poured in from Latin America, Africa, Southeast Asia and the Caribbean.

  • Top 3 Countries Immigrating to US 1961-1970

    West Indies: 470,213
    Mexico: 453,937
    Canada: 413,310

  • Top 3 Countries Immigration 1971-1980

    Korea, Vietnam, and SE Asia: 1,198,831
    West Indies: 741,126
    Mexico: 640,294

  • Top 3 Countries Immigrating to US 1981-1990

    Korea, Vietnam and SE Asia: 2,042,025
    Mexico: 1,653,250
    West Indies: 892,392

  • California Proposition 187

    This proposition established a state-run citizenship screening system and prohibited illegal aliens from using non-emergency health care, public education, and other services in the State of California.

  • Top 3 Countries Immigrating to US 1990-96

    Korea, Vietnam and SE Asia: 1,357,313