Naturalization Act of 1790 (An act established by the first Congress of the United States regarding immigration and citizenship; valid until 1952):" "Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America of Congress assembled, that any alien being a FREE WHITE PERSON, who shall have resided within the limits and under the jurisdiction of the United States for the term of two years, may be admitted to become a citizen thereof, on application to any common law court of record, in any one of these states wherein he shall have resided for the term of one year at least, and making proof to the satisfaction of such court, that he is a person of good character, and taking the oath or affirmation prescribed by law, to support the Constitution of the United States, which oath or affirmation such court shall administer; and the clerk of such court shall record application and the proceedings thereon; and thereupon such person shall be considered as a citizen of the United States. And the children of such persons so naturalized, dwelling within the United States, being under the age of twenty-one years at the time of such naturalization, shall also be considered as citizens of the United States. And the children of citizens of the Unites States that may be born beyond sea or out of the limits of the United States, shall be considered as natural born citizens." TRANSLATION: Only people who were considered "white" could migrate and become U.S. citizens from 1790-1952.