How U.S. immigration laws and rules have changed over time
CBS News・2 minutes read
The U.S. immigration system has evolved over time from imposing restrictions on Chinese immigrants to favoring immigrants from Northern and Western Europe, but the Immigration and Nationality Act of 1965 shifted towards more diversity leading to increased illegal immigration from regions like Africa and Asia. The current system includes employment-based, humanitarian-based, and family-based immigration categories, with asylum seekers accessing legal protection in a system overwhelmed by high numbers, as countries aim to avoid past mistakes in providing refuge to those fleeing persecution.
Insights
- The U.S. immigration system has transitioned from a lack of federal regulations to imposing restrictions targeting specific immigrant groups, evolving significantly over time to include categories like employment-based, humanitarian-based, and family-based immigration.
- The influx of asylum seekers accessing legal protection in the U.S. has strained the system, which was not initially designed to handle such high numbers, reflecting a global shift post-World War II towards providing refuge to those fleeing persecution.
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Recent questions
How has the U.S. immigration system evolved?
It has transitioned from lacking federal regulations to imposing restrictions.
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Summary
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Evolution of U.S. Immigration System and Asylum
- The U.S. immigration system has evolved over time, initially lacking federal regulations until the late 19th century when restrictions were imposed, such as barring most Chinese immigrants and targeting low-income immigrants through the public charge law.
- The Immigration and Nationality Act of 1965 dismantled the national system favoring immigration from Northern and Western Europe, leading to increased illegal immigration from regions like Africa and Asia.
- The current U.S. immigration system is categorized into employment-based immigration, humanitarian-based immigration (including refugees and asylum seekers), and family-based immigration, allowing American citizens and permanent residents to sponsor family members from abroad.
- Asylum, a legal protection enshrined in U.S. law, has been accessed by millions in recent years, overwhelming a system that was not built to accommodate such high numbers.
- Post-World War II, the concept of asylum emerged as countries aimed to avoid past mistakes by providing refuge to those fleeing persecution, leading to the current system that struggles to handle the volume of asylum seekers.
