United States Immigration policies from 1800 to present

Federal Legselation

Feb 1, 1819

This was the first significant federal legislation on immigration.

Irish Emigrate

Mar 6, 1846

Irish of classes emigrate to the United States as a result of the potato famine

Immigration Grows

Feb 22, 1880

The population has grown more then 5.2 million immigrants enter the country.

Provisions

Jan 24, 1888

The U.S. have provisions are adopted for expulsions of aliens.

Immigrants Caught

Apr 13, 1892

immigrants were caught entering on the east coast.

Immigration Act

Jan 25, 1917

Immigration Act provided for literacy tests for those over 16.

Limited Immigrants

Sep 17, 1921

Limited immigrants to 3% of each nationality present in the US in 1910.

Changed Each Nationality

May 22, 1924

Changed to 2% of each nationality based on numbers in the US.

Annual Qoutes

Aug 13, 1929

The annual quotas of the 1924 Act are made permanent.

Finger Printing

Dec 21, 1940

Provided for finger printing and registering of all aliens.

Adopted Immigrants

Feb 22, 1946

Procedures adopted to facilitate immigration of foreign born wives.

Persons Act

Jan 31, 1948

Displaced persons act allowed 205000 refugees over two years.

Exclusions Act

Apr 4, 1950

The grounds for exclusion and deportation are expanded.

Immigration Reform Act

Jan 10, 1986

Immigration Reform and Control Act provided for amnesty for many illegal aliens.

Bill Permit

Jul 12, 1989

A bill gives permanent status to non-immigrant registered who have lived here.

Immigration Act

Oct 15, 1990

Immigration Act of 1990 limited unskilled workers to 10,000/year skilled labor

Amended Act

Nov 5, 2001

Amended the immigration and NA to broaden the scope of aliens ineligible for admission or deportable due to terrorist activities.