The Immigration and Nationality Act of 1965

The mid-20th century brought significant changes to U.S. immigration policy, shaped by global events and shifting domestic attitudes. Key developments included:

1. Special legislation allowing refugees from Europe, the Soviet Union, and Cuba to enter the U.S. after World War II.
2. The Immigration and Nationality Act of 1965, which eliminated quotas based on nationality.

Highlight: The 1965 immigration law changed face of America by shifting immigration patterns away from European-dominated flows.

This landmark legislation led to a dramatic shift in the demographics of U.S. immigrants. Today, the majority of immigrants come from Asia and Latin America, rather than Europe. This change has had profound effects on American society:

• Latinos or Hispanics have become the most demographically dynamic group in the U.S.
• There has been ongoing immigration from Latin America, often including undocumented immigrants crossing the Mexican-American border.
• Asian Americans have become an increasingly diverse and significant minority group.

Example: While many Asian Americans are descendants of 19th-century Chinese railroad workers, recent immigrants have come from countries such as Korea, Vietnam, and India.

These demographic shifts have contributed to the changing face of America, although whites remain the majority of the U.S. population. African Americans, many descended from enslaved Africans, continue to be the second-largest minority group.

Colonial and 19th Century Immigration to the USA

The early history of immigration USA began in the colonial era, with European settlers arriving in search of religious freedom and economic opportunities. A tragic aspect of this period was the forced immigration of enslaved people from West Africa.

Highlight: Between the 17th and 19th centuries, an estimated 650,000 Africans were forcibly brought to America as slaves.

The mid-18th century saw a major wave of immigration, primarily from Northern and Western Europe. This period of Einwanderung in die USA seit 1820 included:

• 4.5 million Irish immigrants fleeing famine
• 25,000 Chinese migrants drawn by the California Gold Rush

Example: The Irish Potato Famine of the 1840s led to a massive exodus, with millions of Irish immigrating to the United States.

Anti-immigrant sentiment grew during this time, as newcomers faced discrimination and were often viewed as competition for jobs. This xenophobia, particularly directed at Catholic immigrants, foreshadowed future challenges in American immigration policy.

Vocabulary: Xenophobia - fear or hatred of foreigners or strangers.