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The Beginning of Colonial Immigration.
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Congress Reduces Naturalization Residency Requirements to Five Years
The Alien Act caused protest. Jefferson wanted to end residency requirements while congress thought it should be a key element in gaining citizenship. "From Pluribus to Unum: Immigration and the Founding Fathers," Policy Review, Winter 1994. -
Homestead Act of 1862 Passed to Encourage Westward Migration
People began to migrate westward in groups of thousands. Public land was sold at a very low cost to encourage people to settle in the Midwest and the West.
http://www.google.com/images?client=safari&rls=en&q=pictures+of+homestead+act&oe=UTF-8&hl=en&sa=X&oi=image_result_group&ei=nsN_VNzGB4exogTAuoL4Dg&ved=0CBQQsAQ -
Ellis Island Opens as Immigrant Entry Checkpoint
Millions of immigrants came to the United States through Ellis Island.
"Ellis Island - History," www.ellisisland.org (accessed July 15, 2009 http://www.google.com/images?client=safari&rls=en&q=pictures+of+opening+of+ellis+island&oe=UTF-8&hl=en&sa=X&oi=image_result_group&ei=1MN_VPDyJ9KxogSZrYDoBA&ved=0CBQQsAQ -
Mexican Revolution Drives Thousands of Mexicans across the US-Mexican Border
A large number of Mexicans migrated north and took jobs in mines, railroads and agriculture while President Porfirio Diaz revolt created a panic that drove thousands of Mexicans to the United States in search of higher wages. http://immigration.procon.org/view.timeline.php?timelineID=000023 -
Ellis Island Closes
In 1965, President Lyndon Johnson declared Ellis Island part of the Statue of Liberty National Monument. http://www.google.com/images?client=safari&rls=en&q=Picture+of+Ellis+Island+closing&oe=UTF-8&hl=en&sa=X&oi=image_result_group&ei=PcZ_VMCPMMTloATVwoCgDQ&ved=0CBQQsAQ -
Immigration Reform and Control Act (IRCA) Grants Legal Status to Qualifying Immigrants Who Entered the US Illegally before Jan. 1, 1982
If an Immigrant can show proof that he/she entered into the United States before January 1,1982 and that they have continuously lived in the U.S. since then they may qualify for temporary residence. http://immigration.procon.org/view.timeline.php?timelineID=000023 -
Enhanced Border Security and Visa Entry Reform Act Updates Immigration Databases and Travel Document Requirements
All travel and entry documents must be machine readable and have a biometric identifier. http://www.google.com/images?client=safari&rls=en&q=pictues+of+new+passport+cards&oe=UTF-8&hl=en&sa=X&oi=image_result_group&ei=m8R_VIrCJcG3oQS4_4GoAw&ved=0CBYQsAQ -
"Minuteman Project" Begins Recruiting Civilians to Patrol the US-Mexico Border
A very controversial effort of men and woman lining the Mexican Border was started by a group of people called the Minutemen. They covered over 20 miles along the border and arrested over 100 undocumented immigrants. http://www.google.com/images?client=safari&rls=en&q=pictues+of+minutemen&oe=UTF-8&hl=en&sa=X&oi=image_result_group&ei=HcV_VJnGLM_hoASCsoKAAg&ved=0CBYQsAQ -
Secure Fence Act Authorizes Fencing along the US-Mexican Border
This act authorized the construction of over 500 miles of fencing along the Mexican border. It was constructed in order to improve security along the border. http://www.google.com/images?client=safari&rls=en&q=pictues+of+new+border+fence&oe=UTF-8&hl=en&sa=X&oi=image_result_group&ei=0cR_VIaOJ4nzoAS0tIH4BQ&ved=0CBYQsAQ -
Controversial Arizona Bill (SB 1070) Signed into Law, Expanding the State's Authority to Combat Illegal Immigration
Governor Jan Brewer signed into law the requirement of all legal immigrants to carry paperwork proving their immigration status. It allowed police to question anyone who is a “reasonable suspect”. http://www.google.com/search?client=safari&rls=en&q=Picture+of+Governor+Jan+Brewer+show+papers+act&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8 -
Judge Blocks Key Parts of Arizona's Anti-Illegal Immigration Law
A U.S. District Judge temporarily blocks police ability to check people’s immigration status. It also blocked the requirement that foreigners have to carry documentation to prove immigration status. http://immigration.procon.org/view.timeline.php?timelineID=000023 -
President Obama Signs Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) to Allow Some Undocumented Immigrants Who Came to the United States as Children to Stay in the Country
Thousands of immigrants that came to the U.S. as children will be allowed to stay in the country, and are able to work. http://immigration.procon.org/view.timeline.php?timelineID=000023 -
US Supreme Court Upholds Centerpiece of 2010 Arizona Immigration Law, Rejects Other Provisions
The Supreme Court upholds the “Show me your papers law”. http://immigration.procon.org/view.timeline.php?timelineID=000023 -
President Obama Announced Executive Action to Prevent Deportation of Millions of Immigrants in the United States Illegally
President Obama’s Executive Action will allow millions of immigrants who are parents of U.S. citizens and permanent residents to stay in the country temporarily. http://www.google.com/search?client=safari&rls=en&q=Picture+of+president+obamas+immigration+reform&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8
