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Why is the Immigration Act of 1965 considered a major turning point in American history?
The Immigration and Nationality Act of 1965 is hailed as one of the most important pieces of legislation in American history. This bill not only abolished the national origin formula that had dominated U.S. immigration policy since the 1920s, but was also a major enactment of the racial discrimination and immigration restrictions of the time, marking the progress of American society in terms of diversity and equality.
Background and History
In the 1960s, with the rise of the civil rights movement, old immigration laws came under increasing criticism. The national origin formula was originally established to protect the "homogeneity" of the United States, but it deprived the rights of immigrants from non-Western countries, including Southern and Eastern Europe, and Asians. The shortcomings of this system have been increasingly criticized, and calls for reform from lawmakers and social activists are growing louder.
"This old system violates the fundamental principle of American democracy, which is based on the merits and demerits of individuals."
Passage of the Bill
The promotion of this law is inseparable from the context of the civil rights movement at the time. In 1963, President John F. Kennedy expressed his opposition to the national source formula. In 1965, with the support of President Lyndon Johnson, conversations within Congress began to intensify, culminating in the Immigration and Nationality Act being signed into law on October 3.
"Our cities will not be drowning in a million immigrants each year." - Senator Ted Kennedy
Main contents of the bill
The Immigration and Nationality Act of 1965 established a seven-category preference system that gives priority to relatives of U.S. citizens, individuals with professional skills or exceptional abilities, and asylees. This has given new hope to many immigrant groups that were once discriminated against. At the same time, the bill also set a numerical limit on immigration from the Western Hemisphere for the first time, 120,000 people per year, which was a significant change.
Impact on American Society
The passage of this bill brought a new immigration landscape to the United States. With the diversification of immigrant sources, the social and cultural structure also changed. After this period, the number of immigrants from Asia, Africa, and Southern Europe increased significantly, gradually changing the racial and cultural landscape of the United States.
Questions and Responses
Although most social observers recognize the historical significance of this law, there are still many controversial voices opposing excessive openness to immigration, believing that it may affect the original social structure and economy of the United States. For example, some conservatives worry that new immigrants will take jobs away from existing citizens.
Summary"Everyone should be clear that this is not a law to restore racial discrimination, but a starting point to break this shackle."
The Immigration and Nationality Act of 1965 marked a watershed in American history. It not only ended discrimination against certain ethnic groups, but also laid the foundation for the development of multiculturalism in the United States in the following decades. However, the implementation of this law still leaves us with many questions worth pondering, such as how to balance the number of immigrants and the allocation of social resources to ensure that the United States can maintain a harmonious social order while remaining open and inclusive?
