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Difficulty: EasyPost-1980 Immigration and Cultural Diversity

Regional Origins of Immigrants to the United States (Selected Years)

PeriodEuropeAsiaLatin America
1900–190993.3%2.5%1.8%
1980–198910.4%37.3%40.2%
2000–200912.1%34.0%42.1%

Which of the following was a major cause of the demographic shift shown in the table?

  1. A
    The implementation of supply-side economic policies that funded relocation programs for Asian and Latin American workers
  2. B
    The application of containment doctrine policies that banned all immigration from Eastern Hemisphere countries to prevent communist infiltration
  3. The repeal of national-origin quotas by the Immigration and Nationality Act of 1965Answer
  4. D
    The expansion of New Deal social welfare programs that guaranteed employment for newly arrived non-European immigrants

Answer

The demographic shift toward Asian and Latin American immigration after 1980 was primarily caused by the repeal of national-origin quotas by the Immigration and Nationality Act of 1965.
The Immigration and Nationality Act of 1965 (also known as the Hart-Celler Act) abolished the national-origins quota system that had been in place since the 1920s. By replacing it with a system focused on immigrants' skills and family relationships with U.S. citizens or residents, the law paved the way for a dramatic increase in immigration from Asia and Latin America, which is reflected in the demographic data after 1980.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the table to identify the demographic changes in U.S. immigration.
The data shows that between the early 1900s and the post-1980 periods, the percentage of European immigrants declined drastically (from over 90% to around 10%), while the percentages of Asian and Latin American immigrants grew substantially.
To determine the trend that needs to be explained.
2
Recall the federal legislation that altered U.S. immigration policy and allowed for this shift in origins.
The Immigration and Nationality Act of 1965 abolished the national-origins quota system established in the 1920s, which had heavily favored European immigrants, opening immigration to other regions of the world.
To link the demographic trend to its historical policy cause.

Key Concept

The demographic impact of the Immigration and Nationality Act of 1965 on post-1980 immigration patterns.
Estimated Time:45s
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Topics

Post-1980 Immigration and Cultural Diversity

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