Becoming US: A Timeline of Immigration and Relocation in America

Immigration is one of the most hotly debated issues in America. In the beginning of 2025, more immigrants lived in the United States than any other country. But shifts in immigration policy have led to a rise in deportation and our borders closing.

Throughout our nation's history, people have immigrated for many reasons, including religious freedom and economic opportunities. But not all immigrants were accepted when they came here, and many immigrants continue to be denied because of their class, race, or religion, while nativist beliefs continue to shape exclusion.

This book will help you learn more about the important yet complicated history of immigration and relocation in America. You will learn about the Native Americans who have always lived here, the Africans and others who were brought by force, and the immigrants who came seeking a better life. Learning these many stories will help you understand how we became US.

A. L. Wegwerth is an author of children's nonfiction and fiction. She lives and works in Minnesota.