The Story Behind The Heart Sellers

The Immigration Act of 1965

The Story Behind The Heart Sellers

The title The Heart Sellers comes from the Hart-Celler Act of 1965, a significant immigration law that increased the number of Asian families allowed to immigrate to America. Less than a decade after this law was enacted, Luna and Jane reflect on how it has impacted their lives, both positively and negatively.

The Hart-Celler Act

The Immigration and Nationality Act of 1965, known as the Hart-Celler Act (named after Senator Philip A. Hart and Representative Emanuel Celler), was a pivotal piece of legislation that transformed U.S. immigration policy. Before this law, a federal quota system limited immigration from non-Western European countries, favoring white Europeans. Celler remarked that this discriminatory system had created international imbalances and was due for change.

The Hart-Celler Act prioritized highly skilled immigrants, family members of U.S. residents, and refugees, establishing a merit-based system. It imposed a national cap of 20,000 visas for each country, including for countries in the Americas where there were previously no caps. The bill garnered significant support, passing in the House with a vote of 318-95.

Since the Act's passage, the U.S. immigrant population has more than quadrupled, with over 14% now being immigrants. By 2017, only 13.2% of immigrants were from Europe and Canada, indicating a shift towards more diverse origins. The Act primarily favored family reunification and skilled workers, leaving unskilled laborers, like agricultural workers, with limited options. Additionally, the cap on immigration from the Americas has affected U.S. agriculture and led to increased unauthorized immigration in search of better opportunities.