The Naturalization Act of 1870 (16 Stat. 254) was a United States federal law that created a system of controls for the naturalization process and penalties for fraudulent practices.

The Naturalization Act of 1870 explicitly extended naturalization rights to all “aliens of African nativity and to persons of African descent,” while denying the right to all other groups of non-whites, particularly Asians.

2024年7月10日 · The act created a system of controls for the naturalization process and penalties for fraudulent practices. It also permitted "aliens of African nativity and to persons of African descent" to become naturalized citizens of the United States.

Congress eventually extended naturalization eligibility to aliens of African nativity and to persons of African descent in 1870. Naturalization Act of 1870, ch. 254, § 7, 16 Stat. 254, 256.

The Naturalization Act of 1870 expanded the privilege to all blacks. Once the issue of race had been introduced as a part of immigration policy, it was a simple step to use race as a justification for excluding would-be immigrants from the United States.

2022年11月10日 · Congress went further by amending naturalization requirements in 1870 and extending naturalization eligibility to "aliens being free white persons, and to aliens of African nativity and to persons of African descent."

APPrOVED, July 13, 1870. July 14,1870. CHAP. CCLIV.- An Act to amend the Naturalization Laws and to punish Crimes against the same, and for other Purposes. Knowingly taking, &o. a false oath, re-quired in the naturalization of aliens, to bo deemed perjury, and how pun-ished. The doing of certain acts in connection with the naturaliza-tion of aliens

Decades later, in 1870, Congress extended naturalization eligibility to aliens of African nativity and to persons of African descent. Naturalization Act of 1870, ch. 254, § 7, 16 Stat. 254.

The Naturalization Act of 1870 became a showdown of sorts as policy makers, diplomats, and foreign-born Americans struggled to redefine the racial, ethnic and political boundaries of American citizenship.

Thus, the first naturalization act enacted by the first Congress restricted naturalization to “free white person[s],” 9 Footnote 1 Stat. 103 (1790). which was expanded in 1870 so that persons of “African nativity and . . . descent” were entitled to be naturalized.10 Footnote Act of July 14, 1870, § 7, 16 Stat. 254, 256.