This Google Site contains a series of primary and secondary sources on how citizenship laws have changed throughout United States history.

Each page consists of a contextual paragraph that provides background information for the document(s) and excerpts from one or more primary documents. Some of the documents have been edited for length. As you analyze the documents, consider both the original source and its author’s point of view. The companion Google Form contains questions about the documents.

The Documents

Document A: 14th Amendment of the Constitution of the United States, 1789

Document B: The Nationality Act of 1790

Document C: The Immigration Act of 1924

Document D: Opinion from Elk v. Wilkins, 1884

Document E: Indian Citizenship Act of 1924

Document F: The Only One Barred Out by Frank Leslie, 1882

Document G: United States v. Wong Kim Ark, 1898

Document H: Map and table of U.S. unauthorized immigration population estimates by state, 2016

Document I: "Politicians, 'Dreams' hold Boston Rally for Dream and Promise Act," WCVB, 2019