US Citizenship

By KimCM

  • Publication of the US Constitution

    Gave congress the power to "establish an uniform rule of naturalization" and eventually the full power over immigration. It did not immediately deem who was or was not a citizen.

  • Naturalization Act of 1790

    Any free white person who had been in the US for two years could become a citizen. Children under the age of 21 could automatically become citizen so long as their parents were naturalized.

  • Civil Rights ACt of 1866

    first federal law to define citizenship and that all citizens are created equally and protected by the law. Law stated that all citizens born or naturalized here are considered Americans regardless of race.

  • Indian Citizenship Act

    Congress stated that all native Americans had us citizenship upon birth.