Which federal act aimed to prevent discrimination in housing based on race or ethnicity?

The Fair Housing Act of 1968 is the correct answer because it was specifically enacted to eliminate discrimination in housing practices. This legislation made it illegal to refuse to sell or rent housing based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, familial status, or disability. The act was a significant step towards civil rights, particularly in the context of residential segregation and unequal access to housing opportunities that many minority groups faced during the 1960s.

In contrast, the Civil Rights Act of 1964 primarily focused on ending discrimination in various public settings, including schools and employment, but did not specifically address housing. The Immigration and Nationality Act of 1965 mainly reformed immigration policies, eliminating quotas based on national origin and allowing for a more diverse influx of immigrants. The Refugee Act of 1980 was centered around the admission of refugees into the United States and did not specifically deal with housing discrimination. Therefore, the Fair Housing Act of 1968 stands out as the legislation directly related to preventing discrimination in housing based on race or ethnicity.