As we follow some of policy and practices of American Immigration, the pattern reflects an obvious desire to exclude non-European and non-English speaking groups. From this we might better understand the current debate over bilingual education.
1607
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One hundred English- speaking settlers imported
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1790
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Naturalization Act (first of series)
|
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Provided citizenship to any "Free White Person" who resided for two years in the U.S. and for one year in the state in which he sought admission.
|
____
Racial and patriarchal features helped define components of American National Citizenship.
1799
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Alien and Sedition Acts passed
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*Naturalization Act - required fourteen years of U.S. residency before becoming a citizen.
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____
*Alien Act empowered the President to deport any foreigner who was regarded as a threat to the U.S.
____
*Alien Enemy Act - empowered the president to detain enemy aliens in times of war.
____
*Sedition Act -penalized scandalous publications against government
1800
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Alien & Sedition Acts repealed.
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1820-1860
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German States and Ireland supply most of America's immigrants
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1849
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Blacks and Indians were prohibited from testifying against Whites.
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1851
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Chinese were prohibited from testifying against Whites.
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1860s
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Coerced immigration of African slaves was prohibited. *
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1864-68
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Immigration stimulated by authorizing employers to pay for passage and bind the services of migrants.
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1870
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European-born workers lead the protest against Chinese influx [until this time, new immigrants were people of Northern European background]
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1881
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Suspended entry of Chinese laborers for 10 years.
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1890 Southern & Eastern European immigrants accepted
1921, 1924, 1929 National Origins Quota System laws enacted
1965
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Numerical restrictions, 20,000 per country regardless of population
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____
1986
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Immigration and Reform Act - limited number of undocumented workers to U.S. IRCA legalized two million illegals Regulated employer sanctions. U.S. Immigration grants legal status to 20,000 residents residents permitted to stay and work on immigrant Visas (Since 1965, system of preference based on 1) family relationships (primary) 2) special skills needed (domestic market, native pop don't supply) 3)born in U.S. - automatic citizen
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Naturalization/citizenship was based a working knowledge of English American history and Government.
1990
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Increase the nations' immigration quotas
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1996
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Debate heightened over legal v. illegal immigration. Call for restrictions. Welfare Reform Act and Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigration Responsibility Act
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End Notes
1. Dejnozka, Edward L. and Kapel, David E. American Educators Encyclopedia, New York, p66.
2. Cafferty, San Juan Pastora " The Language Question: The Dilemma of Bilingual Education for Hispanic Americans".p109
3. Hakuta , Kenji. Mirror of Language: The Debate on Bilingualism. New York, p200.
4. Hakuta, Kenji . p235
5. Hakuta , Kenji. P
6. Cozic, Charles P. Education in America. P171,