- Shortly after the United States ratified the constitution, Congress passed the "Naturalization Act of 1790." The first people allowed to immigrate were "free white people" of "good character." After the ratification of the 14th Amendment, whites born in the United States automatically became U.S. citizens; African-Americans and Asians didn't have this right until later. The Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882 attempted to restrict Chinese immigration. The Immigration Act of 1924 capped immigration from each country. President Roosevelt essentially closed the country to immigration during the 1930s.
- The Immigration and Nationality Act of 1952, known as the McCarran-Walter Act, adjusted immigration quotas. This law based quotas on nationality rather than race. The Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) coordinated and enforced these quotas. This act clarified American citizenship for people living in American territorial possessions. It also clarified the different terms for immigrants. An "alien" is someone who is not an American citizen or national. Aliens are divided into immigrant, non-immigrant, documented and undocumented. Generally, documented aliens come to the United States using proper channels and undocumented aliens come illegally.
- This act fights immigrant attempts to circumvent the immigration process; it slapped penalties on employers that hired illegal aliens. It prohibited Illegal aliens from benefiting from federally funded programs. The Immigration Marriage Fraud Amendment of 1986 curtailed the marriage immigration route.
- Refugees come here because they are afraid of being persecuted in their home countries. They suffer in their native country because of their religion, nationality, race, group memberships or political views. Foreign nationals delivering an American POW or MIA receive automatic refugee status. Refugee status can be denied to those who committed crimes against humanity, who persecuted others for reasons that would make them seek asylum or who have been convicted of murder.
- Aliens who committed a felony in the United States face the prospect of deportation. Also eligible for deportation are aliens who failed to register a new address, falsified documents to gain entry, helped other aliens come in illegally, acted against U.S. security interests, or cast a fraudulent vote. If an alien forgot to update her address by mistake, or there's a good excuse for not updating her address, then the government wouldn't deport her. The government has to prove cause for deportation.
- People can immigrate to the United States to join a family member, or via employment within the country. The process starts with an immigrant visa petition. Once here, the person applies for a permanent resident green card with immigration services (see Resources below). The foreigner must live in the United States for five continuous years before applying for U.S. Citizenship. Candidates must take a test that examines their knowledge of civics, government, U.S. history and the English language. If the alien lived in the United States continuously for over 20 years, or is over 50 years old, he may be exempt from parts of the exam (see Resources below).
