<P> The United States Constitution was adopted on September 17, 1787 . Article I, section 8, clause 4 of the Constitution expressly gives the United States Congress the power to establish a uniform rule of naturalization . </P> <P> Pursuant to this power, Congress in 1790 passed the first naturalization law for the United States, the Naturalization Act of 1790 . The law enabled those who had resided in the country for two years and had kept their current state of residence for a year to apply for citizenship . However it restricted naturalization to "free white persons" of "good moral character". </P> <P> The Naturalization Act of 1795 increased the residency requirement to five years residence and added a requirement to give a three years notice of intention to apply for citizenship, and the Naturalization Act of 1798 further increased the residency requirement to 14 years and required five years notice of intent to apply for citizenship . </P> <P> The Naturalization Law of 1802 repealed the Naturalization Act of 1798 . </P>

History of immigration reform in the united states