Johnson’s Immigration and Nationality Act of 1965

Definition

This was a law passed by President Lyndon B. Johnson that abolished the national-origins quota system that had been in place in the United States since the 1920s. The act resulted in a significant increase in immigration, particularly from Asia and Latin America.

Related terms

National Origins Formula: A system for immigration quotas by nationality that was established by the Immigration Act of 1924 and used until being replaced by this act in 1965.

Hart-Celler Act: Another name for Johnson's Immigration and Nationality Act of 1965, named after its sponsors Senator Philip Hart and Representative Emanuel Celler.

Chain Migration: A term describing how immigrants are more likely to move somewhere if they already have family or friends living there; this phenomenon increased significantly as a result of this act.