Immigration Laws in the United States A History

Alien and Sedition Act (1789) Allowed the President to remove any person from the U.S. that he felt should not be allowed to stay. Only lasted 2 years

14th Amendment 14th Amendment made African American’s citizens. African Americans were not new immigrants however, this was the first time African Americans were granted citizenships.

Chinese Exclusion Act (1882) The United States used Asian immigrants to build the railroad system that allowed for westward expansion. However after the railroad was built the U.S. no longer wanted the immigrants. The Exclusion act barried Chinese immigrants from coming to the U.S.

Immigration Act of 1924 Barred entry into the U.S. for both Chinese and Japanese immigrants. The United States still feared Asian immigrants and was concerned about the Japanese growing alliance with U.S enemies.

National Origins Act (1924) Established a quota system for immigrant groups that the U.S. deemed desirable and undesirable. European countries were given much larger quotas than other countries.

American Indian Citizenship (1924) Granted citizenships to American Indians.

Magnuson Act (1943) Finally gave citizenship to Asian Americans who had been living in the United States for over a hundred years. Established a quota system for Asians immigrants.

Refugee Act of 1953 Granted entry into the U.S. for over 500,000 people who had been displaced by war.

Immigrant Act (1965) Repealed quota systems and allowed immigrants from all countries to apply for entry into the U.S.