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Start of Immigration
Immigration dates way back to the start of Colonial Immigration when English settlers immigrating into American. -
MA Requires Permission to Host Immigrants
Massachucetts' Courts created a rule that prohibits any person or colony to host an immigrant without the permission from authorities. This is one of the first acts made against immigration. -
Transportation Act of 1717
During the 17th Century, the British sought for a punishment harsher than fines but less severe than being hung and resorted to transporting immigrants out of the country. During this time, 36,000 British convicts were transported to America and found peace keeping them out of their country. They continued transporting the convicts to America until 1776 when the US finally got its independence. -
Naturalization Act
The Naturalization Act was the first country-wide set of immigration and citizenship laws. This law allowed aliens who had been living in the United States for two years to apply for citizenship, and also granted citizenship to children born to U.S. citizens while outside of the country. -
Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo
This treaty ended the Mexican-American War and ended the territorial dispute. This treaty added 525,000 square miles to the US. -
Gadsden Purchase
The U.S. paid 10 million dollars to buy the land south of the Gila River, which was 30,000 square miles. This land that was bought from Mexico, redefined the territory lands of the US and AZ. -
1st Attempt to Centralize Immigration Control
This was the first attempt made by Congress to control immigration under the single authority of a "Commisioner of Immigration", which would be oppointed by the President. -
First Federal Administrative Agency for the Regulation of Immigration
This was the establishment of the first federal administrative agency for the regulation of Immigration and through this agency, Congress was able to refine and strengthen the control of immigration. Congress made it possibly to severely restrict immigration. -
"The Melting Pot" Play on Broadway
The play "The Melting Pot" became extremely popular on braodway but was also a metaphor for the US and the immigration. It was one of the most famous plays in history and it also sent an influential message about immigration. -
Arizona becomes a state
AZ became the 48th state in the country and took on the full scope of US government. -
Border Patrol Initiated
This is one of the first times when there were inspectors placed at the borders to stop any immigration. -
Labor Appropriation Act
This act established US border patrol along the borders as a way to enforce federal laws and secure the inspection stations. -
Immigration Reform and Control Act
Also called the "1986 Amnesty", this act allowed over 2 million immigrants to legalize their status and become documented. This act also allowed employers to hire illegal immigrants and even recruit them. -
The Immigration Act
This act united immigrants with their families who were in the US and allowed the immigrants to serve the labor needs for the economy. This act resulted in a high demand for visas which rose from 500,000 to 700,000. However, this also resulted in the creaetion of employment based visas that preferred immgrants in work fields. -
CA- Proposition 187
This was a controversal ballot passed in California that prevented immigrants from receiveing public health care or public education. However, this was challenged at court and eventually ruled unconstitutional. -
The Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act
This act was signed by President Clinton and was created to increasae border security. It was also made to toughen the penalties to illegal immigrants and expanded the amount of crimes that could be used in order to deport immigrants and lastly, restricted public health benefits to immigrants. -
Homeland Security Act
Created after the Terrorist attacks and Congress passed this act to create a Department of Homeland Security. Its sole purpose was to prevent more terrorist attacks and how to assist those attacks, but it also tightened security and watch immigrants closely. There was skeptism to all immigration. -
SB 1070
U.S. federal law requires aliens who are 14 or older that stay in the country for more than 30 days must register with the government and they must posses their registration documents at all times. This also gave officers permission to ask people who are arrested for documentation if there is "reasonable suspicion".
