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Jan 1, 1565
The first European settlement was established in St. Augustine, Florida
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Congress passes the Naturalization Act
Required a five-year residence before allowing someone to become a citizen -
Chinese Exclusion Act is passed
The first serious prohibition of free immigration in all of American history, this legislation bans Chinese migration to the United States for ten years. It was renewed in 1892 and again in 1902 when Congress moved to make the ban permanent. -
Ellis Island
The federal government opens its new immigration reception center on Ellis Island, which had been the site of a naval arsenal in New York Harbor. Over the next forty years some twelve million immigrants passed through it. -
Immigration Requirements
A literacy test for incoming immigrants finally becomes law. Such legislation had previously secured congressional approval only to fall to vetoes by three different presidents. In this instance the bill was passed over the veto of President Woodrow Wilson. With its passage Congress for the first time enacts a general restriction of immigrants. In this case the legislation excluded any adult unable to read some language. The legislation also ordered the deportation of aliens who preached re -
Operation Wetback
President Eisenhower's border control program. Cut illegal immigration at the cost of anti-Latino discrimination. -
The Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986
Allows most illegal aliens who have reside in the U.S. continuously since January 1 of 1982 to apply for legal status and prohibits employers from hiring illegal aliens and mandates penalties for violations -
Immigration Reform and Control Act (IRAC)
Authorize legalization of undocumented immigrants living in the United States since Jan. 1, !982. Increased border enforcement and established penalities for employers who knowlingly hire illegal immigrants. -
Immigration Act
Raised the cap of immigrants to 700,000, modified reasons for exclusion and deportation, and authorized the attorney general to grant protected status to undocumented immgrants from countries of conflict or natural disasters. -
Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act
Created measure for border control, worksite enforcement, and for the removal of deportable immigrants. It also increased restrictions on welfare benefits for illegal immigrants. -
U.S. Patriot Act
U.S. Patriot Act is considered by Congess to restrict the flow of immigrants and potential terrorists into the U.S. -
Real ID Act
Denied state issued liscenses and ID's to undocumented immigrants. -
Comprehensice Immigration Reform Act
Introduced a temporary work program. It also established a procedure for undocumented immigrants to earn legalization. While also increasing the number of employment based visas. -
Secure Fencce Act
Approved the build for a 700 mile border fence. -
SB 1070
Jane Brewer signed SB 1070 into law. -
SB 2650
Jane Brewer signs this law into effect that made changes to the orginal law SB 1070.
