The Immigration Act of 1924, also known as the Johnson-Reed Act, established a national origins quota system that severely restricted immigration from Southern and Eastern Europe. The act favored immigrants from Northern and Western Europe, who were seen as more racially and culturally compatible with the existing white American population.
After World War II, the United States experienced a significant shift in immigration patterns. Several factors contributed to this change:
1. Displaced Persons Act of 1948: The Displaced Persons Act of 1948 allowed for the immigration of over 200,000 displaced Europeans who were unable to return to their home countries due to the war.
2.End of the National Origins Quota System: In 1965, the Hart-Celler Immigration and Nationality Act abolished the national origins quota system and replaced it with a preference system based on family reunification and skills. This change significantly increased immigration from Asia, Africa, and Latin America.
3.Refugee Act of 1980: The Refugee Act of 1980 established a more comprehensive and standardized process for granting asylum to refugees from all over the world.
As a result of these changes, the demographic composition of the United States became increasingly diverse, with a rise in the number of immigrants from non-European countries. Additionally, the new policies facilitated family reunification and provided opportunities for skilled workers from various regions of the world to contribute to the American economy and society.