Changes

Just after the end of World War II, in 1946, immigration from India was allowed up to an annual quota, and in 1952 immigration from Asia was allowed again for the first time since 1917.

Just after the end of World War II, in 1946, immigration from India was allowed up to an annual quota, and in 1952 immigration from Asia was allowed again for the first time since 1917.

When Democrats controlled the presidency and Congress under the Lyndon Johnson Administration, in 1965 the Immigration and Nationality Act abolished quotas for each foreign country, and opened the floodgates to immigration again, in amendments to the Immigration and Naturalization Act.  This new law established visa limits for needs of family (such as nannies) and employment, while exempting spouses, parents and minor children of American citizens.  Many foreign workers, most notably in India and other parts of Asia, then immigrated to fill jobs, many in engineering fields.   

In 1965, Democrats controlled the presidency and Congress under the Lyndon Johnson Administration, the Immigration and Nationality Act increased quotas and opened the floodgates to immigration again, in amendments to the Immigration and Naturalization Act.  This new law established visa limits for needs of family (such as nannies) and employment, while allowing spouses, parents and minor children of American citizens to immigrate freely.  Under the visa program many foreign workers, most notably in India and other parts of Asia, then immigrated to fill jobs, many in medical and engineering fields.   

Six percent of visas were for refugees. The Refugee Act of 1980 then expanded the definition of a refugee, and separated refugee admissions from the overall quota system.

Six percent of visas were for refugees, who are people supposedly fleeing persecution in their own country. The Refugee Act of 1980 then expanded the definition of a refugee, and separated refugee admissions from the overall quota system, with the result of many more refugees allowed in.

The 1965 amendments established total immigration limits by hemisphere, and quotas for some countries including Mexico. In 1968 a limit on visas from the western hemisphere was also established on a first-come, first-serve basis.

The 1965 amendments established total immigration limits by hemisphere, and high quotas for some countries including Mexico. In 1968 a limit on visas from the western hemisphere was also established on a first-come, first-serve basis.

Illegal immigration from Mexico, to get around its quota, grew in the early 1980s and the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986 allowed most illegal aliens who resided in the U.S. continuously since 1982 to apply for legal status.  Employers were prohibited from hiring illegal aliens, in order to discourage future illegal immigration.

Illegal immigration from Mexico, to get around its quota, grew in the early 1980s and the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986 allowed most illegal aliens who resided in the U.S. continuously since 1982 to apply for legal status.  Employers were prohibited from hiring illegal aliens, in order to discourage future illegal immigration.

Court decisions made it difficult or impossible for States to deny government benefits (such as free public education) to illegal immigrants.  Accordingly, their entry into the United States continued to grow.  Estimates are that 20 million people now live in the United States illegally, most having arrived by crossing the United States-Mexico border but not all of whom are Mexican.  Congress is bitterly divided about how to address this, and President Trump campaigned to build a wall along that border.

Court decisions made it difficult or impossible for States to deny government benefits (such as free public education) to illegal immigrants.  Accordingly, their entry into the United States continued to grow.  Estimates are that 20 million people now live in the United States illegally, most having arrived by crossing the United States-Mexico border but not all of whom are Mexican.  Congress is bitterly divided about how to address this, and President Trump campaigned in 2016 to build a wall along that border.

'''Debate:  What is your view of immigration?'''

'''Debate:  What is your view of immigration?'''