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Early Restrictions
Who could become a citizen if a person was not born here. -
Period: to
1880-1920
25 million immigrants arrived. Most came form the countries of southern and eastern Europe- parts of the world that were unfamiliar to many Americans. -
Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882
first major law that barred entrance to specific groups because the California Gold Rush and railroad building and attracted a many immigrants -
Quota Act of 1921
Congress sets up quotas favoring immigrants form northwestern Europe. -
Immigration Act of 1924
expands the quota system: immigration from any contrary is limited to 2% of its total numbers in the 1890 senses -
1965- Immigration Reform Act
The Immigration Reform act throws out the national origins system; now preference is given first to reunifying families and second to people whose skills help the U.S. -
Immigration Reform and Control Act
Immigration Reform and Control Act penalizes employers for knowingly hiring undocumented immigrants but gives amnesty to some undocumented immigrants allowing them a path to eventually apply for citizenship -
Immigration act of 1990
no contrary could account for more then 7% of total immigration -
Immigration Reform Act of 1996
New law expands the U.S. Border Patrol and stiffens penalties for false papers -
George W. Bush law of 2007
proposed to fill short them labor needs through a guest worker program and strengthened border control
