How many immigrants from the Eastern Hemisphere were allowed yearly under the Immigration and Nationality Act of 1965?

The Immigration and Nationality Act of 1965 significantly changed the landscape of immigration policy in the United States by eliminating the national origins quotas that had been in place since the 1920s. Under this new legislation, the law established a specific numerical limit on immigrants from the Eastern Hemisphere, allowing for a total of 170,000 immigrants to enter each year. This figure reflected a broader commitment to family reunification and the admission of skilled workers and refugees.

The act aimed to create a more equitable immigration system and remove the discriminatory restrictions of previous laws. Thus, the 170,000 annual cap became a key feature of the immigration framework that influenced patterns of immigration from Asia and Africa in the decades that followed. This change marked a pivotal moment in U.S. history, as it led to increased diversity in the American population and a rethinking of immigration in a modern context.