This paper provides a century-long overview of U.S. immigration policy. Based on original research conducted at the Presidential libraries, the article explains the motivations behind the dramatic changes in U.S. immigration policy in 1965. This study provides support that, even today, the Congressional debate is propelled and sustained by the National Origins legislation of 1924, an immigration law that discriminated against immigrations through a quota system. Indeed, this article argues that despite various major and minor modifications over the last 33 years, U.S. immigration policy continues to be shaped by principles established in 1965.

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