Today, Explained The law that broke immigration
11 snips
Nov 1, 2023 
David Leonhardt, a Senior writer at the New York Times and author of "Ours Was the Shining Future," delves into the surprising legacy of the 1965 Immigration and Nationality Act. He argues that the law, initially intended to reform and create a fairer system, instead resulted in an unprecedented surge of immigration. Leonhardt explores the gap between the law’s civil rights aspirations and its unintended consequences, highlighting its significant social impact and the current dilemmas faced by the Democratic Party in immigration policy.
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Restrictive Policies
- From the 1920s to the 1960s, the US had restrictive immigration policies.
- These policies heavily favored Western European countries and limited overall immigration numbers.
Push for Reform
- John F. Kennedy and later Lyndon B. Johnson pushed for immigration reform.
- This was partly influenced by changing demographics and a growing sense of unfairness in the existing system.
1965 Act's Goals
- The 1965 Immigration Act aimed to eliminate the racist quota system.
- Supporters promised it wouldn't significantly increase overall immigration levels.
