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Brief History

In the early 1800’s, nearly five million people immigrated from Northern and Western Europe for a variety of reasons, the chief among them being famine.

From 1840-1860, there was a surge in the number of immigrants to the U.S.  At that time, Ellis Island was the landing pad, where these immigrants were processed and admitted to the country.  These immigrants from Europe and other nations eagerly learned the language and customs of America while still treasuring their own traditions and culture.  This attitude shaped a new United States and strengthened society and the economy.

The McCarran-Walter Act is the one of the earliest legislation on the topic.  It establishes the basic laws of U.S. citizenship and immigration.  This act, also known as the Immigration and Nationality Act of 1952, has undergone several changes since its adoption.  Originally, the law admitted only a certain number of immigrants of each nationality.  But a law passed by Congress in 1965 gave preference to immigrants with skills needed in the United States and to close relatives of U.S. citizens.


Inside Brief History