There was a time when migration to the United States of America was simple, but now it is not so. Once can say that the whole process much simpler and easier around 10 years back but it is not an easy to get the visa. That's why it's not such a bad idea to approach an experienced immigration lawyer. It is interesting to know the history of the Migration Laws in the USA and see the changes they have undergone to be what they are in the present times. It is not wrong to say that it was immigrants who had founded the United States. There are a large number of people who have moved to the country for many years with a hope to get a better life. The immigration policy started changing in the 19th century.

The country had a open door policy for migrants from 1776 to 1875. The president of the country had the right to expel any person whom he thought was a threat to the security of the country and this was the only the provision to put a limit to immigration. In order to encourage immigration, the Congress passed a law in 1864. Things started changing in 1875. The first law was passed in this year to limit immigration. The idea was to put a stop to some kind of people entering the country rather than putting a limit on the number of people migrating. That year any convicts and prostitutes were banned from coming to the USA.

Later following the same principle lunatics, idiots and any individual who could at some point become a financial burden to the country were stopped from getting a visa to enter the country. In 1882 next a very different act was passed which stopped Chinese and people of some specific races from entering the country. This law was prevalent till 1943.

There was another change brought about in 1917 as a requirement was set for anyone who wanted to get admission in a school or University in the country. Only Japanese were allowed to immigrate in a legal manner and no one from any other Asian country was allowed then.

In 1921 people coming from any country in the western hemisphere did not have to stick to the national origin quota system that was created. This system continued to restrict the entry of Asians in the country.

The structure of today's Migration Laws in the USA is based on the Mc Carran Walter Act. This created race based special quotas for individuals from the Asian region who wished to immigrate to the United States of America. there was another special system created which preferred people with certain skills to get the permission easily. This is what the present employment based category system is based on. From the 1950s more changes have been made in the immigration laws and they have become more and more complicated over the years. It is essential to know the laws that are prevalent today in the United States of America before one decides to migrate to the country for any reason.