What changes did the 1965 Hart-Cellars Act introduce to U.S. immigration policy?

The Hart-Celler Act of 1965 significantly transformed U.S. immigration policy by prioritizing skilled immigrants. This legislation ended the national origins quota system that had been in place since the 1920s, which heavily favored immigrants from Northern and Western Europe while severely limiting those from other regions. By introducing a system that emphasized labor market needs, the Act allowed for the admission of more skilled workers, contributing to the diversity of the U.S. population. This shift was part of a broader movement towards acknowledging the contributions of immigrants with specific skills or education that could benefit the American economy.

While the Act did indeed support family reunification to a degree, this emphasis was not its primary focus compared to the skilled immigrant provisions. There were still limits imposed on the overall number of immigrants, so elimination of quotas entirely did not occur. Instead, the law established a framework that allowed for more skilled individuals from various global regions to immigrate to the U.S.