The first permanent European settlement is established at St. Augustine by the Spanish.

Scottish and Irish immigration begins, with many settling in New England, Maryland, and Pennsylvania.

Congress bans the importation of African slaves.

Over 10 million immigrants, mostly from Northern and Western Europe, arrive during the "first great wave" of immigration.

Congress passes the Indian Removal Act, forcing Native Americans west of the Mississippi.

The Cherokee are forced on the "Trail of Tears," resulting in approximately 4,000 deaths.

The Irish Potato Famine leads to nearly 500,000 Irish immigrating to the U.S. over five years.

The Mexican-American War ends, with the U.S. acquiring new territory and people.

The California Gold Rush sparks the first major wave of Chinese immigration.

The Homestead Act encourages immigration by offering land to settlers.

The Burlingame Treaty allows unrestricted Chinese immigration.

The Chinese Exclusion Act suspends Chinese labor immigration.

New immigrants arrive from Southern and Eastern Europe, including Italians, Poles, and Jews fleeing persecution and poverty.

The National Origins Act establishes quotas favoring Northern and Western Europeans and severely restricting others, including Asians.

U.S. Border Patrol is created to regulate immigration.

The Bracero Program brings millions of Mexican laborers to the U.S. for temporary work.

The Cuban Revolution prompts a mass exodus to the U.S.

The Immigration and Nationality Act abolishes national-origin quotas, opening doors to immigrants from Asia, Africa, and Latin America.

The Refugee Act systematizes the process for refugee admissions and asylum.

The Immigration Reform and Control Act grants amnesty to millions of undocumented immigrants.

The Immigration Act increases total immigration and creates the Diversity Visa Lottery.

The Department of Homeland Security takes over immigration enforcement and services.

Immigration from Latin America and Asia surpasses that from Europe. Policies focus on border security, undocumented immigration, and refugee admissions.