1965 Act
The immigration and Nationality Act of 1965, also known as the Hart-Celler Act, was a landmark event that forever changed US immigration history. In the context of Indian immigration, it played a pivotal role in reshaping the demographic makeup of the Indian community in the United States. Before 1965, American immigration policies were heavily restrictive and racially biased, Favoring European immigrants and imposing limitations on additional countries, including India. The 1965 act changed that by abolishing the National Origins quota system, which was discriminatory against non-European immigrants. This new law introduced a system based on family reunification and skilled labor, a positive change that did not discriminate based on race or nationality. It was a system that favored the best and most deserving people and prioritized family reunification over racial preferences, bringing hope for a brighter future for the Indian community in the US.