Modern immigration, also known as post-1965 immigration, has forever changed American society. In 1965, amendments to the Immigration and Nationality Act, more commonly known as the Hart- Cellar Act, greatly increased non-European immigration. In the decades since the Hart-Cellar Act became law, immigration has continued to increase steadily in the United States.

Some experts disagree on whether the Hart-Cellar Act was the primary reason for the shift in modern immigration. In 1968, the Hart—Cellar Act’s goals were to unite fragmented families and to bring in foreign labor. The Hart-Cellar Act eliminated national quotas that were biased against immigrants from Southern and Eastern Europe. In addition, the Hart-Cellar Act removed the long-standing ban on Asian immigrants. The abolition of the national quotas encouraged immigrants from Eastern Europe, Southern Europe, and Asia to come to America. Unfortunately, the original Hart-Cellar Act and its later amendments also established the first cap on immigrants from the Western Hemisphere. This greatly affected immigration from Central America, South America, and Mexico.

Compared with the immigrants of the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, post-1965 immigrants are distinctly diverse. These new immigrants settle in different areas, come from a wide variety of countries, and have different socioeconomic backgrounds. In fact, unlike the Ellis Island immigrants, modern immigrants hail principally from non-European nations. Modern immigration has had a significant impact on the size and design of America’s population. Since the 1960s, new immigrants have represented over one-third of America’s total growth. Although all ethnic groups contribute to America’s growth, Asian and Hispanic immigrant populations continue to grow larger and faster than all of the others. Only thirty years ago, Asians and Hispanics made up an infinitesimal percentage of the American population. Since then, the size of these groups has almost quadrupled.

In the 1800s, immigrants from Europe tended to settle on the East Coast or in the Midwest. States like Michigan, Virginia, New York, Pennsylvania, Illinois, Massachusetts, and New Jersey became havens for new Americans. If these immigrants preferred the cosmopolitan life, they usually headed for booming cities like New York, Detroit, Chicago, Philadelphia, St. Louis, and Boston. In the twenty- first century, immigrants continue to flock to these areas. However, today’s immigrants also settle on the West Coast, in the Southwest, and in the Southeast. Texas, Arizona, Florida, California, Washington, and Oregon are among the states with the largest immigrant populations.

Many of the modern immigrants arrive in America with jobs, college degrees, or technical training, in stark contrast to the immigrants of the nineteenth century. Networks produced by family ties, friendships, and business contacts enable immigrants to prosper in America far more quickly than they were able to in the past. Since the 1970s, family or friends already in the United States sponsored more than two-thirds of the new immigrants. Other humanitarian institutions, both public and private, also help new immigrants become established in America. In addition to helping immigrants find jobs and homes, these organizations assist in eliminating the abuse and discrimination that many immigrants face.

It is no wonder that family ties play such a major role in modern immigration. The Hart-Cellar Act of 1965 and its ensuing amendments made family reunification a priority. This important measure provided immediate family members of American citizens with unlimited visas. Extended relatives were also granted visas based on availability.

Thanks to the Hart—Cellar Act and other legislation, America has become more than a melting pot. With its modern immigration policies, America has become a land filled with united and prosperous families. The Hart-Cellar Act, along with other immigration legislation, has brought increased diversity and new challenges. Like the immigrants before them, modern immigrants require assistance and compassion. However, the strengths and benefits that many of the new immigrants bring far outweigh a temporary cost to society.