America has always been the Melting Pot of the World so it has always been an interesting debate on who was rightfully here first. This all starts back in the 1600's when world travel began.
When the pilgrims came and founded this land, they took it from the Native American tribes. In return, we promised to give them certain Indian Reservations that would help preserve their culture and traditions. This wasn't an easy process and a lot of blood was spilled over it. You could say, Immigration started even before America was founded in 1776.
When Ellis Island opened it's door in New York in 1892, Immigration has been constant. Before Ellis Island opened, immigrants had to face the New York state officials individually and dealt with it on a domestic level. The Federal Government then assumed control on April 18, 1890 and started setting immigration rules and regulations. They first put $75,000 in to the building of Ellis Island and all that is used for the immigration station. With the signing of the Declaration of Independence, America has always been a symbol of freedom and equality. Europeans saw America as the Promised Land. It was a unique set of rules. America began as an idea with people realizing that they can create their own rules and govern themselves equally. Ever since the founding of America, there have been constant immigration changes.
In 1790, The Naturalization Act was signed, which made it so any white person regardless of background became a citizen of the United States.
In 1875, The Supreme Court decided that any immigration issues should be held on a Federal level and they should be responsible for it.
In 1882, The Supreme Court signed The Chinese Exclusion Act which prevented Chinese laborers of becoming citizens.
It wasn't until 1891, that America decided to inspect, process, admit/reject any immigrant that migrated here.
1892, Ellis Island was national known and open to the world.
In 1903, Federal Government set up rules and border patrol not just for migrants coming over by boat, but from the Mexico Border all along the South.
In 1907, The U.S. Immigration Act of 1907 was signed which put all of the southern states in to a Mexican Border District to help the flow of immigration.
From 1917 to 1924, they set up regulations which put a quota on how many immigrants could come as well as the process of obtaining a passport. They also banned any/and all Asians excluding Japanese.
The 1924 Act put a limit on visa's and could only be obtainable depending on the immigrants origin and history. It was put into effect and was based on it's proportion to the United States. This favored any Northern hemisphere country and was unfair for any Asian.
In 1940, The Alien Registration Act was put in to effect which required any foreign alien to register with the government and obtain an alien registration card. Later to be known as a green card.
In 1952, they established an immigration system which put a limit on a specific number of individuals that could immigrate from certain countries. They favored families who had acquired special skills that America could benefit from.
It wasn't until 1968 that America abolished any form of racism placed on immigrants. They opened up immigration to any one who was willing to go through the legal process. Discrimination was abolished as well as restrictions on Oriental Immigration.
In 1976, an Act was passed that eliminated the favoring of immigrants who were from countries found on the Western Hemisphere.
In 1980, an Act was passed that established a general policy of regulating refugees.
In 1986, they passed an Act that could be known as the 1986 Immigration Amnesty. It introduced any and all employer sanctions which prosecutes any employer that use undocumented workers. It also produced regulations on marriage fraud.
In 1990, and Act was passed that put a limit on immigrants from specific countries. It's aim was to attract certain immigrants that had special skills. It was established to help the flow of businesses in the United States.
The Patriot Act of 2001 was in response to the terrorism that had occurred on September 11, 2001. It put restrictions and provided tools to prevent further terrorism on American soil.
In 2003, the USCIS was created which provided certain departments of Homeland Security that could deal with immigration services such as benefits, citizenship, applying for permanent residence, etc. The Bureau of Immigration and Customs Enforcement was then established.
In 1940, The Alien Registration Act was put in to effect which required any foreign alien to register with the government and obtain an alien registration card. Later to be known as a green card.
In 1952, they established an immigration system which put a limit on a specific number of individuals that could immigrate from certain countries. They favored families who had acquired special skills that America could benefit from.
It wasn't until 1968 that America abolished any form of racism placed on immigrants. They opened up immigration to any one who was willing to go through the legal process. Discrimination was abolished as well as restrictions on Oriental Immigration.
In 1976, an Act was passed that eliminated the favoring of immigrants who were from countries found on the Western Hemisphere.
In 1980, an Act was passed that established a general policy of regulating refugees.
In 1986, they passed an Act that could be known as the 1986 Immigration Amnesty. It introduced any and all employer sanctions which prosecutes any employer that use undocumented workers. It also produced regulations on marriage fraud.
In 1990, and Act was passed that put a limit on immigrants from specific countries. It's aim was to attract certain immigrants that had special skills. It was established to help the flow of businesses in the United States.
The Patriot Act of 2001 was in response to the terrorism that had occurred on September 11, 2001. It put restrictions and provided tools to prevent further terrorism on American soil.
In 2003, the USCIS was created which provided certain departments of Homeland Security that could deal with immigration services such as benefits, citizenship, applying for permanent residence, etc. The Bureau of Immigration and Customs Enforcement was then established.
