a) The Hart-Celler Act

The Hart-Celler Act, passed in 1965, fundamentally changed U.S. immigration policy and its approach to refugees. This legislation abolished the national origins quota system, which had restricted immigration from certain countries, and established a new policy based on reuniting immigrant families and attracting skilled labor. The act significantly opened up U.S. immigration, especially from Asia, Africa, and the Middle East, reshaping the demographic composition of the country. It marked a major shift from previous restrictive policies and reflected the broader civil rights reforms of the time.