Historical Immigration Legislation - Laws and Acts

The New York Detention Room, Ellis Island. Drawn by G. W. Peters. The Century Magazine, January 1916.

The New York Detention Room, Ellis Island. Drawn by G. W. Peters. The Century Magazine, January 1916. GGA Image ID # 1548f55ad8

  • The Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882
    An act to execute certain treaty stipulations relating to the Chinese, May 6, 1882; Enrolled Acts and Resolutions of Congress, 1789-1996; General Records of the United States Government; Record Group 11; National Archives.
  • The Immigration Law of 1907 Including a Brief History Of Immigration Acts
    FEDERAL legislation upon the subject of immigration extends over a period of but a quarter of a century. The act of 1819 regulated the " carriage of passengers " (ocean passengers at that time for the most part were immigrants), but for nearly a century after the adoption of the Constitution Congress was content to permit the seaboard States to control immigration by local legislation.
  • Questions and Answers for Prospective American Citizens (1907)
    The following questions and answers are given with the purpose of enabling the person seeking to become an American citizen to familiarize him or herself with American history and the fundamental facts of American institutions, so that he or she may be prepared to readily answer such questions as the judge may ask.
  • A Summary of the Naturalization Laws of the United States (1907)
    The conditions and the manner in which an alien may be admitted to become a citizen of the United States are prescribed by Sections 2165-74 of the Revised Statutes of the United States, as amended by Chapter 3592 of the Acts of the First Session of the 59th Congress.
  • Regulation of Immigration at Its Source (1908)
    Article discusses in depth the path for prospective immigrants to America, who undergo stringent inspections in their home countries and port of departures. The forgotten gatekeepers of Ellis Island.
  • The Immigrant's Bill Of Rights (1909)
    It is not enough to say, however, that immigration legislation has been inspired by the spirit of the Constitution. The active manifestation of that spirit in recent years has culminated in the Immigration Act approved February 20, 1907, which in effect constitutes the immigrant's bill of rights. To acknowledge this fact is merely to recognize a notable expression of that universally advancing spirit of humanity which, despite many appearances to the contrary, is the distinguishing mark of modern civilization.
  • Our Immigration Laws From The Viewpoint of National Eugenics (1912)
    HOW far do our present immigration laws enable us to exclude those aliens who are physically, mentally, and morally undesirable for parenthood; those whose coming here will tend to produce an inferior rather than a superior American race; those who, in other words, are eugenically unfit for race culture?
  • The Recent History of Immigration and Immigration Restriction - 1913
    To understand the present situation concerning immigration restriction, we must go back to the enactment of the last federal act upon the subject, namely, the act of February 20, 1907.
  • Immigration Laws - Handy Reference Guide For Steamship Captains (1919)
    Under the immigration laws of the United States. certain precautionary measures are important to be observed by the masters of vessels bringing passengers to American ports. First of all, care must be had in the manner of soliciting patronage. The usual and customary methods of advertising by letters, circulars, or otherwise, the sailing dates of vessels, terms of passage and facilities of transportation are permitted, but they cannot go to the extent of soliciting, inviting or encouraging, directly or indirectly, the immigration of aliens into the United States.
  • A Summary of the Immigration Laws of the United States from 1882
    Prior to 1882, there were not any formal acts that controlled immigration. Below is a brief summary of the Immigration Acts passed beginning in 1882. By the end of 1954, the transatlantic steamships and ocean liners were almost exclusively for pleasure trips.
  • Legislation and Administration Addressing the Immigration Problem
    Prior to 1882, there were not any formal acts that controlled immigration. Below is a brief summary of the Immigration Acts passed beginning in 1882. By the end of 1954, the transatlantic steamships and ocean liners were almost exclusively for pleasure trips. (Expanded Section - 14 Chapters)
  • Percentage Immigration Law Inflicts Hardships on Aliens and Companies (1921)
    After a test of over three months, the law restricting immigration which went into effect last June, has been found defective in several important respects, its most objectionable feature being the hardships that it imposes upon steamship companies engaged in the immigration traffic and also upon incoming aliens.
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