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The Great Migration
Immigrant population explodes in the colonies, the vast majority coming from England. This period takes place between 1630 - 1640 -
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History of U.S. Immigration
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Immigration Worries
Benjamin Franklin states concerns of the growing German immigrant population in Pennsylvania, he writes "This Pennsylvania will in a few years become a German colony; instead of [their] learning our language, we must learn theirs, or live as in a foreign country." -
A New Country Looks For New Settlers
The Declaration of Independence is signed and states that England is restricting migration to the colonies. Colonies are trying to lure as many immigrants as possible to help settle their lands. -
Naturalization Act of 1795
Congress passes the Naturalization Act of 1795 and increases the length of time a person needs to be in the U.S. from 2 years to 5 years. They also take an oath of allegiance to the U.S. and renounce their former sovereign. -
Treaty of Guadalupe-Hidalgo
The signing of this treaty ends the Mexican-American War and the U.S. acquires AZ, CO, NM, TX, CA, and parts of UT and NV. Mexican residents of these new US territories are allowed to stay, but are subjected to serious discrimination. -
California Supreme Court Decision
The California Supreme Court Decision in People v. Hall states that Chinese immigrants cannot testify in any trial against a white man. -
Naturalization Act of 1870
The Naturalization Act of 1870 is signed into law permitting citizenship to white persons and persons of African descent, discriminating against Asian immigrants. -
Henderson v. Mayor of New York
The Supreme Court decides that immigration is a federal matter not to be left to the states. -
Chinese Exclusion Act
The first time the U.S. expressly prohibits a specific race of people (Chinese) from immigration to the U.S. -
Statue of Liberty dedicated in New York Harbor
The Statue of Liberty is the most prominent symbol of immigration to the U.S. Since her dedication in New York Harbor as a gift from the people of France, she has welcomed immigrants from around the world to the shores of America. "Give me your tired, your poor/Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free" -
Ellis Island
The federal government opens up Ellis Island as an immigration reception center in 1892 in New York Harbor. Over the next 40 years it will welcome over 12 million immigrants to the U.S. -
Mexican Revolution
As a result of the Mexican Revolution, thousands of Mexicans come to the U.S., In the next 20 years, nearly 1 million will enter the U.S. seeking work. -
1917 Immigration Act
The law is passed stating immigrants must now pass a literacy test, and it also grants powers to deport any "undesirables". -
Operation Wetback
Border control measure implemented by President Eisenhower to decrease illegal immigration at the expense of anti Latino discrimination. With a racist title like this coming from our leaders, it is easy to see how people along the border region with Mexico would be less than welcoming to our neighbors from the south. -
Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibilty Act
This law will make it easier to deport immigrants who lack the proper paperwork immediately whereas prior to this law, immediate deportation was only enacted when offenses that could lead to 5 or more years in jail were committed.
