What role did family connections play in immigration trends after the Immigration and Nationality Act of 1965?

Family connections became a primary factor for entrants after the Immigration and Nationality Act of 1965 due to the changes implemented by this legislation. Before 1965, U.S. immigration policies were heavily influenced by quotas favoring immigrants from Western and Northern Europe. The act abolished these quotas, creating a more inclusive immigration system that emphasized family reunification. This policy shift encouraged immigrants from various countries, particularly from Asia, Latin America, and Africa, to settle in the United States, as they could more easily bring family members over.

The importance of family connections in this context is evident in the surge of immigrant communities forming, as people sought to join relatives who had already established themselves in the U.S. This often facilitated a chain migration effect, where one family member’s immigration led to others following, thereby significantly shaping post-1965 immigration trends. Consequently, family reunification became a driving force behind immigration patterns, strengthening the social and economic ties among immigrant populations.