By: Becca Temple

Immigration and Naturalization Policy

In the time period of 1868-1911, people wanted to become United States Citizens. They wanted better opportunities such as good jobs and houses. However not all people were accepted to be U.S citizens. Becoming a United States citizen is quite a long process and isn’t that cheap.

Ellis Island, in Upper New York Bay, helped millions of immigrants become U.S citizens. It was the biggest immigration inspection center from 1892-1954. Ellis Island was the largest immigration center on the East Coast. After the opening of this millions of immigrants came to the U.S through Ellis Island during the next 40 years. If people were sick with a contagious disease or had legal problems, they could be turned away and sent back to their country. Less than 2% of people who arrived at Ellis Island were not allowed in the country.

Naturalization

Naturalization is the process of a non-citizen becoming a legal citizen of the U.S. In order to become a U.S citizen the person must be able to understand/speak most of the English language and promise to obey the laws. The United States does not have to accept someone as citizen. They can also take away a naturalized citizenship if they disobey the laws. The U.S does allow dual citizenship, meaning that person can be a citizen of more then one country.

During the mid 1800’s millions of U.S immigrants came from Northern Europe. Mostly from Great Britain, Germany, Ireland, and the countries of Scandinavia. Most immigrants that came to the U.S sailed by a ship. When the immigrants moved here few could afford to buy homes. In their old country they worked on farms. Many who came here found jobs in the cities where most manufacturing took place. Not many immigrants were skilled in manufacturing or industrial work. They often took low paying jobs with long hours.

The Chinese Exclusion Act

The Chinese Exclusion Act was a U.S federal law signed by President Chester A. Arthur on May 6, 1862. The Chinese Exclusion Act banned Chinese people from immigration to the U.S for 10 years. Congress continued to renew the law after the 10 year time period. The law became permanent in 1902 but, in 1943 the Chinese became an important ally with the U.S against Japan and the law was changed.

Why did immigrants come to the U.S?

Many immigrants came to the U.S during this time period for many reasons. They received a better life and better opportunities that were life changing to these people.

Ellis Island, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ellis_IslandEllis Island, United States History, Holt, Rinehart, and Winston, 2007,

Section 1 a new wave of immigration, pages 367.Naturalization,

http://www.uscis.gov/us-citizenship/citizenship-through-naturalizationNaturalization, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Naturalization

Immigration, United States History, Holt, Rinehart, and Winston, 2007, Section 1 A new wave of immigration, page 636-641