9.5-9.6

Immigration & Nationality Act of 1965

Law that ended the quota system based on national origins, allowing more immigrants from Asia, Africa, and Latin America.

Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996

Legislation that increased penalties for undocumented immigrants and made it easier to deport them.

Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA)

Policy created under Obama in 2012 that protects eligible undocumented youth who came to the U.S. as children from deportation.

Asylum seekers

Individuals fleeing persecution in their home countries seeking protection and legal residence in another country.

George W. Bush

43rd president (2001–2009) who led the U.S. response to 9/11 and launched wars in Afghanistan and Iraq.

Al Gore

Vice president under Clinton and Democratic candidate in the disputed 2000 presidential election.

Colin Powell

First African American Secretary of State who played a key role in building support for the Iraq War.

Al-Qaeda

Islamist terrorist group responsible for the 9/11 attacks, founded by Osama bin Laden.

Osama Bin Laden

Leader of Al-Qaeda and mastermind behind 9/11, killed by U.S. forces in 2011.

Afghanistan

Country invaded by the U.S. in 2001 to dismantle Al-Qaeda and remove the Taliban from power.

Taliban

Islamist group that ruled Afghanistan and sheltered Al-Qaeda, regained power in 2021.

World Trade Center

Twin towers in New York City destroyed in the 9/11 terrorist attacks.

September 11, 2001

Date of terrorist attacks by Al-Qaeda on U.S. soil, marking a turning point in U.S. foreign and domestic policy.

USA PATRIOT Act

Law passed after 9/11 that expanded surveillance powers of law enforcement to combat terrorism.

Department of Homeland Security

Agency created in 2002 to coordinate national efforts to protect against terrorism.

Saddam Hussein

President of Iraq overthrown in the 2003 U.S.-led invasion; accused of possessing WMDs.

“Axis of Evil”

Term used by Bush to describe governments accused of sponsoring terrorism: Iraq, Iran, and North Korea.

Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMDs)

Nuclear, chemical, and biological weapons; the supposed reason for the Iraq invasion.

Operation Iraqi Freedom

2003 U.S. military campaign to remove Saddam Hussein and establish democracy in Iraq.

Abu Ghraib

Prison in Iraq where U.S. soldiers abused detainees, sparking global outrage.

Bush Doctrine

Policy supporting preemptive military action to defend U.S. interests.

Hillary Clinton

First lady, senator, Secretary of State, and 2016 presidential candidate.

Barack Obama

44th president known for healthcare reform, economic recovery, and ending U.S. combat in Iraq.

John McCain

Republican senator and 2008 presidential candidate who lost to Obama.

Arab Spring

Series of anti-government protests and uprisings across the Arab world beginning in 2010.

ISIS

Terrorist group that emerged from Al-Qaeda in Iraq, known for extreme violence.

Ukraine

Country invaded by Russia in 2014 and again in 2022, central to rising U.S.-Russia tensions.

Cyber attacks

Digital assaults on government or corporate systems, often attributed to foreign nations or hackers.

WikiLeaks

Organization that publishes classified documents, known for leaking U.S. military and diplomatic information.

No Child Left Behind Act

Bush-era education reform emphasizing standardized testing and accountability.

Enron

Major corporate scandal in the early 2000s involving accounting fraud.

Hurricane Katrina

2005 natural disaster that devastated New Orleans with a widely criticized federal response.

Troubled Assets Relief Program (TARP)

2008 bailout of financial institutions during the Great Recession.

Great Recession

Severe economic downturn starting in 2007-2008 caused by the housing bubble and financial crisis.

American Recovery and Reinvestment Act

Obama’s stimulus plan to revive the economy after the Great Recession.

Consumer Financial Protection Bureau

Agency created to protect consumers from unfair financial practices.

Affordable Care Act

2010 healthcare reform law expanding insurance coverage and regulating insurers.

“Obamacare”

Nickname for the Affordable Care Act, often used politically.

Tea Party

Conservative political movement that emerged in response to government spending and Obama’s policies.

Mitt Romney

Republican presidential candidate in 2012 who lost to Obama.

Donald J. Trump

45th president (2017–2021) known for populist rhetoric and immigration policies.

Robert Mueller

Special counsel who investigated Russian interference in the 2016 election and potential ties to Trump.

COVID-19 pandemic

Global health crisis starting in 2020 causing massive disruptions and leading to federal emergency responses.

Attack on the Capitol

January 6, 2021, assault by Trump supporters attempting to stop the certification of the 2020 election results.