The history of naturalization policy in America began with the "Naturalization Act of 1790," which established the first uniform rules for citizenship, allowing only "free white persons" who had resided in the U.S. for at least two years to apply, requiring them to demonstrate good character and swear allegiance to the Constitution; over time, this policy evolved to include more groups through amendments, notably expanding to African Americans with the Naturalization Act of 1870, while also introducing restrictive quotas based on national origin in the early 20th century, which were later removed by the Immigration and Nationality Act of 1952, creating a more inclusive system with preference categories for specific skills and family ties;.
Key points in the history of naturalization policy:
1790: The first Naturalization Act limited citizenship to "free white persons" residing in the U.S. for at least two years.
1795: The residency requirement was increased to five years, and applicants were required to declare their intention to become citizens three years prior.
1870: The Naturalization Act of 1870 extended citizenship to "aliens of African nativity and persons of African descent".
Early 20th Century: The "National Origins Quota System" was implemented, limiting immigration based on quotas assigned to different nationalities, heavily favoring Northern European immigrants.
1952: The Immigration and Nationality Act replaced the national origins system with a preference system based on skills, family ties, and other factors.
Important aspects of the evolution of naturalization policy:
Racial discrimination: Early naturalization laws explicitly excluded non-white individuals from citizenship.
Residency requirements: The time period required to reside in the U.S. before applying for citizenship has changed over time.
Declaration of intent: Applicants eventually needed to formally declare their intention to become citizens before applying.
Shift to preference system: The current system prioritizes certain categories of immigrants based on skills, family relationships, and refugee status.
