26 March 1790
LegislationSupplement
Naturalization restricted to free white persons
United States; immigrants excluded by racial classification
The first federal naturalization act limited its individual admission procedure to aliens classified as free white persons. It required two years’ residence in the United States, one year in the state of application, proof of good character and an oath or affirmation supporting the Constitution.
Dates preserve the source’s precision. This entry is part of a selected historical record; its qualifications and sources are retained below.
Context / qualification
This was a racial restriction on naturalization, not a definition of all citizenship. The act also addressed minor children of naturalized persons and children of citizens born abroad, with conditions.