a history lesson of laws on immigration

[almaty 19]

History

Rule of Naturalization (1790), allowed “’any alien, being a free white person’ and ‘of good character’ who had resided in the United States for two years to become a ‘citizen of the United States’ by taking an oath in court ‘to support the constitution of the United States.’”7

American naturalization law and practice is based on social-contract theory—the agreement of individuals to create and live under a government, giving it the power to make and enforce laws. That a citizen of one country has the right to transfer his allegiance to another is a logical extension of this idea. One reason for the War of 1812 is that British and French, not recognizing the idea of “voluntary expatriation” would board our ships and impress sailors who they believed owed allegiance to their countries of origin.8

Chirac v. Lessee of Chirac (1817), affirmed that “’the power of naturalization is exclusively in congress,’ notwithstanding any state laws to the contrary.”9

Groups of people were collectively naturalized as a result of additional territory ceded to our country during expansion. 10

The Immigration Act of 1882 levied a 50 cents tax on all aliens to defray expenses resulting from immigration regulation and care of new arrivals. Authorities could deny entry to "convicts (except those convicted of political offences), lunatics, idiots and persons likely to become public charges." 11

Subsequent legislation denied entry to prospective immigrants with a dangerous contagious disease, tuberculosis in any form, persons who have been convicted of or admit having committed a felony or other crime or misdemeanor involving moral turpitude; polygamists, idiots, imbeciles, feeble-minded persons, epileptics, persons of constitutional psychopathic inferiority; persons with chronic alcoholism; paupers; professional beggars; vagrants; unaccompanied children under 17 years of age, anarchists, or persons who believe in or advocate the overthrow by force or violence of the Government of the United States, and persons found to be or certified mentally or physically defective because it may affect the ability of such aliens to earn a living. Head tax was increased, as well. Eventually literacy tests, previously vetoed by Grover Cleveland, William Taft, and Woodrow Wilson, were passed by Congress.12

The 1924 Immigration Act was more restrictive, allowing around 150,000 to enter the United States. Those of Anglo-Saxon origin made up over two-thirds of the quota and no Japanese were allowed entry (as had been true of the Chinese since 1880). Those of Southern or Eastern European origin were extremely limited. 13

McCarran-Walter Act imposed more rigid restrictions on entry quotas and stiffened existing law relating to the admission, exclusion and deportation of dangerous aliens as defined in the Internal Security Act. 14

Immigration and Nationality Act (1952) imposed overall limits on immigration, while continuing to favor Europeans, over other regions. 15

Immigration and Nationality Act Amendments (1965) abolished the national origins quota system and replaced it with a seven-category preference system. Of the 290,000 people allowed entry, 120,000 were reserved for immigrants from the Western Hemisphere. This limit did not include "immediate family members" of US citizens.16

Migration to the United States was no longer dominated by European immigrants; Latin American and Asian groups make up the bulk of aliens settling in this country today. 17

Refugee Act (1980) expanded the number of persons considered refugees.18

Immigration Reform and Control Act (IRCA) (1986) granted amnesty to illegal immigrants who had resided in the United States for a certain period of time. Steep penalties were placed on those hiring or harboring unauthorized residents. There was also to be enhanced border control. 19

Proposition 187 (CA 1994) denied undocumented immigrants access to public schools, medical care, and other social services. Public employees and law enforcement officials were required to report suspected undocumented immigrants to the Immigration and Naturalization Service. 20

Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act (PRWOR) (1996), known as Welfare Reform Act, limited access to legal protections for non-citizens. Legal and undocumented immigrants were denied access to federal public benefits, such as Medicaid, Supplemental Security Income (SSI), and food stamps. 21

The Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act (IIRIRA) (l996) hastened deportation of illegal immigrants who committed crimes. 22

Anti-Terrorism and Effective Death Penalty Act (AEDPA) (l996) made it easier to arrest, detain, and deport non-citizens. 23

The American Competitiveness in the Twenty-First Century Act (2000) increased the number of temporary work visas.24

Although dual citizenship has been prohibited since 1795, millions of American citizens are also citizens of other countries because 1) Countries of origin do not recognize renunciation of loyalty made in the American citizenship oath. 2) Some have one American parent and one foreign parent. 3) Foreign-born children are often adopted by American parents. Courts have ruled against expatriating citizens who maintain dual citizenship, despite statutory law.25

i noticed throughout the history europeans/ caucasians were the ideal immigrants for america

[silvanski 1]

History

...alien, being a free white person’ and ‘of good character’ who had resided in the United States for two years to become a ‘citizen of the United States’ ....

It's that 'of good character' which might make me flunk

[almaty 19]

History

...alien, being a free white person’ and ‘of good character’ who had resided in the United States for two years to become a ‘citizen of the United States’ ....

It's that 'of good character' which might make me flunk

same here ..i know they tell me go @@@@@ myself back then

[Fischkoepfin 1]

History

...alien, being a free white person’ and ‘of good character’ who had resided in the United States for two years to become a ‘citizen of the United States’ ....

It's that 'of good character' which might make me flunk

same here ..i know they tell me go @@@@@ myself back then

Well, that actually just means that you're not a criminal or beggar. Other than that, both of you should have good character.

Thanks for posting this, Dean!

Edited April 21, 2006 by Fischkoepfin

[almaty 19]

i thought it was important to get an idea of past laws and history and how allot of it was based on selected by race or country immigration...

[Mirorgate 0]

Damn them Irish immigrants!

I'd still be in County Cork if not for that!

[Jasman0717 9]

[almaty 19]

Damn them Irish immigrants!

I'd still be in County Cork if not for that!

#######! no wonder you are my brother mirror..my mother side of the family immigrated from there....they were from wales orginally..married irish generations ago....last name of waugh.."it's a small world after all" jimmy cricket

Edited April 21, 2006 by almaty2004

[mercuryroad 0]

Damn them Irish immigrants!

I'd still be in County Cork if not for that!

#######! no wonder you are my brother mirror..my mother side of the family immigrated from there....they were from wales orginally..married irish generations ago....last name of waugh.."it's a small world after all" jimmy cricket

Tipperany here......and yes...it is a long way from Tipperany.

[almaty 19]

Damn them Irish immigrants!

I'd still be in County Cork if not for that!

#######! no wonder you are my brother mirror..my mother side of the family immigrated from there....they were from wales orginally..married irish generations ago....last name of waugh.."it's a small world after all" jimmy cricket

Tipperany here......and yes...it is a long way from Tipperany.

i heard it was too.....

[Jasman0717 9]

[radacos 0]

Brother Dean, where did you find this info? Am muchly interested...

[almaty 19]

Brother Dean, where did you find this info? Am muchly interested...

i have to look,,it was on google news under family immigration..i see if i can find it again and post a link

[Jasman0717 9]

Damn them Irish immigrants!

I'd still be in County Cork if not for that!

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

History

...alien, being a free white person’ and ‘of good character’ who had resided in the United States for two years to become a ‘citizen of the United States’ ....

It's that 'of good character' which might make me flunk

Don't worry. How tough can that standard be? They let me become a citizen.