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Alien and sedition Acts
The Alien and Seditions Acts passed by Congress in 1798 allow the President to bar certain foreigners from becoming naturalized citizens of the United States. The act also granted the President to deport foreigners deemed dangerous. History.com Staff. (2009). Alien and Sedition Acts. Retrieved April 27, 2016, from http://www.history.com/topics/alien-and-sedition-acts -
Steerage Act
The Steerage Act established regulations regarding ships documenting immigrants brought on board. It also required the Secretary of State to report the number to Congress. Add To Cart. (n.d.). Retrieved April 27, 2016, from http://www.libertyellisfoundation.org/immigration-timeline Steerage Act. (n.d.). Retrieved April 27, 2016, from http://www.encyclopedia.com/article-1G2-2688400022/steerage-act.html -
Naturalization Act of 1870
Extended naturalization process to African Americans but notably did not grant rights to other non-white groups. Smith, M. L. (2002). Prologue. Retrieved April 27, 2016, from http://www.archives.gov/publications/prologue/2002/summer/immigration-law-1.html -
irish potato Famine
The irish Potato Famine caused by a blight that wiped out the crop millions depended on causing widespread and death. Due to strenous circumstances almost 1 million Irish imigrated to the United States where they faced harsh discrimination resulting from a clash between Puritan and Catholic viewpoints.. Gavin, P. (2000, June 12). The History Place - Irish Potato Famine: Gone to America. Retrieved April 27, 2016, from http://www.historyplace.com/worldhistory/famine/america.htm -
Gold Rush
Discovery of gold in Sacramento Valley, California sparked massive immigration internally and externally of the United States. Chinese immigration was particularly heavy resulting in violent and racist conflicts that prompted anti-foreigner legislative action that lasted for years against future Chinese immigrants. History.com Staff. (2010). The Gold Rush of 1849. Retrieved April 27, 2016, from http://www.history.com/topics/gold-rush-of-1849 Williams, D. (2003, January 21). Gold Rush. Retriev -
Know-Nothings
The Know-Nothing's political clout had begun to manifest in this era resulting in the party winning multiple seats in Congress. They had staunch anti-immigration views and called for measures to increase the requirements to earn naturalization. Know-Nothing party. (2016). In Encyclopædia Britannica. Retrieved from http://www.britannica.com/topic/Know-Nothing-party -
Chinese Exclusion Act
The Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882 placed a 10 year ban on the immigration of Chinese and excluded current residents from receiving citzenship. Ourdocuments. (n.d.). Chinese Exclusion Act (1882). Retrieved April 27, 2016, from https://www.ourdocuments.gov/doc.php?flash=true&doc=47 Criticalcommons. (n.d.). Chinese Exclusion Act. Retrieved April 27, 2016, from http://www.criticalcommons.org/Members/bem0318/clips/chinese-exclusion-act/view -
The Immigration Act of 1882
This measure passed by Congress placed a 50 cent tax on all aliens arriving in the United States as well as barring individuals deemed unfit from entering such as convicts and lunatics. Project Home. (n.d.). U.S. Immigration Legislation: 1882 Immigration Act. Retrieved April 27, 2016, from http://library.uwb.edu/static/USimmigration/1882_immigration_act.html Immigration Act (United States) (1882). (n.d.). Retrieved April 27, 2016, from http://immigrationtous.net/146-immigration-act-united-stat -
Alien Contract Labor Law
The Alien Contract Labor Law prevented American organizations or individuals from forming labor contracts with foreigners before their immigration and from trasnporting them under labor contracts. Project Home. (n.d.). U.S. Immigration Legislation: 1885 Contract Labor Law. Retrieved April 27, 2016, from http://library.uwb.edu/static/USimmigration/1885_contract_labor_law.html Volturno Datapage 23 - Ellis Island Page 2. (n.d.). Retrieved April 27, 2016, from http://www.searlecanada.org/volturno/ -
Geary Act of 1892
The Geary Act of 1892 extended the 10 year ban placed on Chinese immigration by another 10 years. The bill also required current residents to official certificates of resident and voided bail for immigrants found in the country illegally. Geary Act of 1892. (n.d.). Retrieved April 27, 2016, from http://immigrationtounitedstates.org/514-geary-act-of-1892.html Rivero, N. (2010, November 25). Asian American Blog (1880 -1900). Retrieved April 27, 2016, from http://asianamgroup9.blogspot.com/2010/1 -
Naturalization Act of 1906
The Naturalization Act of 1906 required knowledge of the English language as a requirement for citzenship. Who's #1? (n.d.). Retrieved April 27, 2016, from https://www.uscis.gov/history-and-genealogy/our-history/historians-mailbox/whos-1 Finding Information on US Immigrants. (2011). Retrieved April 27, 2016, from https://bloodandfrogs.com/2011/05/finding-information-on-us-immigrants.html -
Emergency Quota Act
The Emergency Quota Act established limits on the number of immigrants accepted into the U.S. based on their country of origin and total population numbers. U.S. Immigration Legislation: 1921 Emergency Quota Law. (n.d.). Retrieved April 27, 2016, from http://library.uwb.edu/static/usimmigration/1921_emergency_quota_law.html 1921 Emergency Quota Act. (n.d.). Retrieved April 27, 2016, from http://www.american-historama.org/1913-1928-ww1-prohibition-era/1921-emergency-quota-act.htm -
Creation of the Border Patrol
In May 1924 Congress established the Border Patrol designated to secure the border between checkpoints. 1924: Border Patrol Established. (n.d.). Retrieved April 27, 2016, from http://www.cbp.gov/about/history/1924-border-patrol-established -
Alien Registration Act
The Alien Registration Act required alien residents over the age of 14 to register with the government, including their personal and occupation status along with their political beliefs. Alien Registration Act. (n.d.). Retrieved April 27, 2016, from http://spartacus-educational.com/USAalien.htm Alien Registration Act of 1940 [updated]. (2012). Retrieved April 27, 2016, from http://framework.latimes.com/2012/02/14/alien-registration-act-of-1940/ -
Arizona SB 1070
Arizona SB 1070 made it mandatory for aliens to carry their documentation around or risk a misdemanor crime and allowed police to check the immigration status of someone arrested or detained if they had reasonable suspicion the person in question wasn't residing in the United States legally. The measure has had long-standing consquences for both illegal immigrants and legal citizens who face racial profiling Arizona's SB 1070. (n.d.). Retrieved April 27, 2016, from https://www.aclu.org/feature
