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Migration is a natural part of living systems, and human history is no exception. Yet it remains one of the most debated public issues of our time.
Both people and borders move. Who is allowed to move, and who is granted rights, lies at the heart of how nations define belonging. In Germany and the United States alike, these debates have been deeply intertwined with evolving ideas of race and ethnicity.
These timelines trace how citizenship and belonging have been constructed, challenged, and redefined through laws, social movements, global events, and cultural works — and how those histories continue to shape the present.
These timelines were a collaboration driven primarily by volunteers. The selection of events and approach of content was developed in conversation between editors and contributors, as well as academic and community advisors.
Editors:
Olga Gerstenberger, Christina Antonakos-Wallace, Serkan Demiral, Regina Knoll, Rachel Landry, Anna Baker & Lotti Schulz
Contributors:
Stefania Animento, Christine Boelian, Anthony Chase, Kadija Diallo, Emily Hackerson, Lydia Galonski, Danielle Goonan, Lara Jacobs, Henriette Jankow, Maral Jekta, Alyssa Jocson, Laura Lambert, Karen Maniraho, Aseem Mehta, Maria Rutschke, Anna Schmitt
Academic and Community Advisors
Dr. Emily Thuma, Dr. Marina Kaneti, Dr. Kein Nghi Ha, Dr. Maria do Mar Castro Varela
Dr. Iman Attia, Dr. Alexandra Delano
Ariela Kachmer – NY Coalition Of Radical Educators, Manuela Bauche – August Bebel Institute, Tahir Della – Initiative of Black Germans., Sharon Dodua Otoo, Julius Franklin, Nadine Golly – Leuphana University Lüneburg, Handan Kaymak, Berivan Inci – Antidiscrimination Network Berlin of the Turkish Union Berlin, Beate Klammt – Anne Frank Center, Jacob Langford – Humboldt University Berlin, Nzitu Tahir, John Mukiibi – Anti-discrimination Office Cologne, Kofi Ohene-Dokyi – Project JUMA, Cigir Özyurt, Youth Theater Buro Berlin, Judith Rahner, Amadeu Antonio Foundation, Salma Rafiq-Haya – Gladt e.V.,Yasemin Shooman, Academy of the Jewish Museum Berlin, Nursemin Sönmez, Gülsah Stapel, Serdar Yazar, Seth Rader, the James Baldwin School, David Lackey- Whirlwind Creative
Translators:
Regina Knoll, Manjiri Palicha, Forrest Holmes, Jennifer Theodor, Marc Holland-Cunz, Paula Fuehrer, Ilka Russy, Simran Sodhi, Lotti Schulz
Contributing Funders:
The Checkpoint Charlie Foundation, Humanity in Action; and The EVZ Foundation
This timeline is dedicated to our dear collaborator, Serkan Demiral, who gave much of his time during a long battle with cancer to With Wings and Roots. Among his contributions, he was an editor for the German timeline. Serkan brought a sharp mind, a huge heart, an expanse of generosity, and wonderful sense of humor to our team. He is greatly missed.
These timelines are always evolving. We welcome your feedback and collaboration: info@withwingsandroots.com
Educators:
Use timeline entries as anchors for lessons, historical framing, or paired primary sources to bring migration history into your coursework.
Students:
Explore events chronologically or filter by era or topic to support research projects and essays.
General Public:
Browse key moments in immigration history and discover stories that expand dominant narratives.
Researchers:
Use topics to explore continuities. Access curated academic sources and cross-referenced materials for further study.
