- As Communist regimes took control of Eastern European countries after World War II, the repression and persecution they imposed prompted an increase in immigration to the United States.
2. Refugee Act of 1953:
- This law allowed for a limited allocation of visas for refugees from communist-dominated areas.
3. Immigration and Nationality Act of 1965:
- This landmark act abolished national-origins quotas, significantly reducing discrimination against immigrants from southern and eastern Europe.
4. Immigration of Soviet Jews:
- The persecution of Jews in the Soviet Union led to an increased number of Soviet Jewish immigrants in the US, especially in the 1970s and 1980s.
5. Immigration from Cuba:
- The political tensions and economic challenges in Cuba resulted in several immigration waves, including the Mariel boatlift in 1980.
6. Impact of the Space Race:
- Competition with the Soviet Union in space exploration during the Cold War led to increased investment in scientific and technical fields in the US, attracting skilled immigrants.
7. Brain Drain:
- Many highly educated individuals from other countries saw the United States as a place of opportunity and immigrated to contribute their skills and knowledge to the country.