Immigration law in the United States has a long history. It is an issue the Founders addressed. One thing has remained certain, however. Immigration is always shaped by the historical, political, and social context of the time. Changes to our federal immigration laws have addressed, among many things, slavery, the influx of Chinese immigrants during Western expansion, the civil rights movement, and the influx of Latino immigrants in the late 20th Century. Immigration, of course, remains a hot button issue and will likely be important in determining our next president, especially with the ever-increasing Latino demographic in swing states.
Huffington Post Latino Voices, today, provides a nice overview of what it sees as the 10 most important U.S. Federal Immigration Laws in our complex and rich history:
1. The Naturalization Act of 1790
3. The Naturalization Act of 1870
5. The Chinese Exclusion Act, 1882
6. The Naturalization Act of 1906
7. The Immigration Act of 1924
8. The Immigration and Nationality Act of 1952 (The McCarran-Walter Act)
9. Immigration and Nationality Act of 1965
10. Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996
If you, your family, or friends need assistance navigating the immigration system–whether in Oregon, Colorado, or another US state–please contact us.
