How did the landscape of immigration change in the late 20th century?

In the late 20th century, the landscape of immigration in the United States underwent significant transformation, primarily characterized by an increased flow of immigrants from Latin America and Asia. This shift can be attributed to several factors, including changes in U.S. immigration policy, global economic conditions, and ongoing conflicts in various regions.

The Immigration and Nationality Act of 1965 played a crucial role in this shift by abolishing the national origins formula that had heavily favored European immigrants, thus opening up the country to immigrants from different parts of the world. As a result, many people from Latin American countries sought better economic opportunities and fled political instability, while immigrants from Asian countries arrived for similar reasons, including educational pursuits and family reunification.

The demographic composition of the immigrant population changed dramatically during this period, leading to a more multicultural society in the United States. Latin American and Asian immigrants contributed significantly to the labor force, the economy, and the cultural fabric of the nation, reshaping perceptions of what it meant to be an American.

This understanding highlights how the dynamics of immigration shifted away from the predominantly European sources of earlier periods, illustrating the broader global trends and domestic policy changes that influenced patterns of migration during the late 20th century.