What significant change did the Immigration Act of 1965 accomplish?

The Immigration Act of 1965 fundamentally transformed the U.S. immigration landscape by repealing the Quota Acts of the 1920s. These earlier laws had established stringent quotas that largely favored northern and western European immigrants while severely limiting the number of immigrants from Southern and Eastern Europe, Asia, and other regions. By abolishing these discriminatory quotas, the 1965 Act aimed to create a more equitable immigration system that reflected the diverse origins of people seeking to enter the United States.

Additionally, the Act prioritized family reunification and skilled immigrants, laying the groundwork for the current immigration policy that values both family ties and professional qualifications rather than geographic origin. This shift not only diversified the demographic makeup of the nation but also marked a crucial step towards a more inclusive approach to immigration, reflecting changing attitudes about race and nationality during the Civil Rights era.