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1790
Congress passed a law defining who could become a citizen if a person was not born here: Citizenship was possible only for someone who was "a free white person". -
Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882
It said no Chinese laborer could enter the United States for 10 years. Law was lifted during WWII because China was an ally. -
1880 and 1920
During this time is when America was hit the hardest with immigration. 25 million immigrants arrived. -
Quota Act of 1921
Congress sets up quotas favoring immigrants from the northwestern Europe; The immigration Act of 1924 expands the quota system: immigration from any country is limited to 2 percent of its total numbers in the 1890 census. -
Immigration Act of 1924
Each country's immigrants were limited to 2 percent of foreign based residents from that country listed in the U.S. census of 1890. -
1965-Immigration reform act
congress passed the Immigration Reform Act, abolishing the quota system based on national origin. -
1986-Immigration Reform and Control Act
The Immigration Reform and Control Act penalizes employers for knowingly hiring undocumented immigrants, but it gives amnesty to some undocumented immigrants, allowing them a path to eventually apply for a citizenship. -
Immigration Act 1990
it said no country could account for more than 7 percent of total immigrants. Set up categories for war refugees or close relatives of American Citizens. -
Immigration Reform Act of 1996
New law expands the U.S. Border Patrol and stiffens penalties for false papers. -
2007
Bush's bill proposed to fill short-term labor needs through a guest worker program and strengthened border control. Did not propose to track down and deport millions of undocumented workers.
