Timeline of Immigration History The Immigration Timeline covers major moments in the history of Immigration. For a more detailed look, read the articles in full below, or search for Immigration Timeline in this archive.
1845 The potato famine in Ireland prompts the first massive wave of European immigration to the United States. Read Article A Famine in Ireland The Guernsey Jeffersonian, November 20, 1845 1849 The Gold Rush in California sparks mass immigration to the United States from all over the world. Read Article The Gold Hunt in California Weekly Wisconsin, October 4, 1848 1862 President Lincoln signs the Homestead Bill, opening federal land to settlers. Read Article Free Homesteads The Weekly Oregonian, August 2, 1862 1877 Congress issues a report on the influence of Chinese immigrants on crime, labor costs and issues deemed "morally unmentionable." Read Article (pictured on right) Report on Chinese Immigration The New York Times, February 28, 1877 1882 President Arthur signs the Chinese Exclusion Act. Read Article (pictured on right) The Signing of the Chinese Bill The Daily Miner, May 10, 1882 1889 President Harrison opens Oklahoma territory for settlement. Read Article The Expected Oklahoma Proclamation The Weekly Gazette & Stockman, March 28, 1889 1892 The Immigration and Naturalization Service opens on Ellis Island in New York. Read Article New Landing Place The Newark Daily Advocate, January 2, 1892 1907 President Theodore Roosevelt proposes a "Gentleman's Agreement" to the Japanese government preventing the passage of a Japanese Exclusion Act. Read Article (pictured on right) Nears A Solution The Galveston Daily News, December 15, 1907 1922 The Supreme Court rules that Japanese immigrant Takao Ozawa, a resident of Honolulu, Hawaii, is not eligible for American citizenship. Read Article (pictured on right) Court Decides Japanese Ineligible to Citizenship Fort Wayne Journal-Gazette, November 14, 1922 1924 The passage of the Immigration Act of 1924 draws protest from the Japanese government. Read Article (pictured on right) Jap Exclusion Law Mandatory The Galveston Daily News, June 19, 1924 1929 Congress enacts new immigration quotas in response to the protests of President Hoover. Read Article New Immigration Quotas In Effect The Olean Evening Times, July 1, 1929 1941 In the wake of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, authorities begin rounding up Japanese Americans to "prevent sabotage and espionage." Read Article (pictured on right) Coast Rounds Up Japanese The Oakland Tribune, December 8, 1941 1942 President Roosevelt issues Executive Order 9066, setting up "War Zones" from which any person could be barred or removed. This action leads to the creation of Japanese internment camps. Read Article (pictured on right) War Zones for Nation Ordered The Oakland Tribune, February 20, 1942 1952 The House of Representatives overrides President Truman's veto and passes the controversial Immigration and Nationality Act. Read Article House Overrides Truman's Veto Of McCarran Immigration Bill The Joplin Globe, June 27, 1952 1954 Ellis Island is closed with as little fanfare as it was opened. Over its 62 year history, the station processed millions of immigrants. Read Article Ellis Island Closes Friday The Ironwood Daily Globe, November 13, 1954 1959 A revolution sparks mass immigration from Cuba bringing more than 200,000 Cubans to America by the mid-1960s. Read Article (pictured on right) Batista, Aides Flee Cuba; Give Up Fight With Castro The Charleston Daily Mail, January 1, 1959 1965 The Immigration Act of 1965 brings an end to "national origin" quotas and overturns the Immigration and Nationality Act of 1924. Read Article Immigration Bill Passed by Senate The The Manitowoc Herald Times, September 23, 1965 1986 The Immigration Reform and Control Act grants amnesty to people who illegally immigrated to America before 1982. Read Article President signs new immigration law The Daily Intelligencer, November 7, 1986 1988 Congress approves over $1.2 billion in restitution payments to be made to survivors of Japanese internment camps. Read Article Payments OK'd for ex-internees The Capital, August 5, 1988 1992 President George H.W. Bush signs the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), opening economic borders between the US, Canada and Mexico. Read Article Bush signs N. America trade pact The Gleaner, December 18, 1992 2000 The case of Elian Gonzalez, a Cuban refugee, brings the plight of illegal immigrants into the media spotlight. Read Article (pictured on right) Seizure of Elian The Post-Standard, April 23, 2000 2001 The Patriot Act creates significant new restrictions on immigration procedure in an effort to combat terrorism. Read Article Bush signs sweeping new laws to combat terrorism The Gleaner, October 27, 2001 2005 A group of citizen volunteers form the Minuteman Project to assist law enforcement in securing US borders. Read Article Mexican border to see armed volunteers The Frederick News-Post, March 31, 2005		Newspaper Articles (click to view readable full images) The New York Times February 28, 1877 The Daily Miner May 10, 1882 The Galveston Daily News December 15, 1907 Fort Wayne Journal-Gazette November 14, 1922 The Galveston Daily News June 19, 1924 The Oakland Tribune December 8, 1941 The Oakland Tribune February 20, 1942 The Charleston Daily Mail January 1, 1959 The Post-Standard April 23, 2000