Post-1965 Immigrants

Question 1

Which immigration act ended the national origins quota system?

Answer 1

The Immigration and Nationality Act of 1965

Hart-Cellar Act

Question 2

Which bill allowed Indian pioneers to become naturalized citizens and use the Indian quota of 105 immigrants per year set by the 1924 National Origins Quota Act?

Answer 2

The Luce-Celler Act of 1946

Question 3

What was a significant consequence of the Sputnik launch in 1957 for U.S. immigration policy?

Prashad

Answer 3

It increased Cold War tensions, which led the US to began prioritizing skilled immigrants, especially in STEM
Policies favoring South Asian scientists, engineers, and doctors

Question 4

Which piece of legislation significantly transformed South Asian immigration to the U.S. by prioritizing skilled and professional laborers?

Answer 4

The Immigration and Nationality Act of 1965

hart-cellar act

Question 5

After the Immigration and Nationality Act of 1965, how did most South Asians immigrate to the U.S.?

Answer 5

Under the skilled labor and professional preference categories

Question 6

Why did the United States significantly alter its immigration policies after 1965?

Prashad

Answer 6

To attract skilled professionals
To maintain its global economic and technological power during the Cold War

Question 7

How does the historical treatment of South Asian immigrants challenge the narrative of the “model minority”?

Prashad

Answer 7

• South Asians were once excluded and marginalized
• Only welcomed after the 1965 Act, which favored skilled professionals
• Cuccess came from selective immigration policies, not innate ability

Creates a false idea that all South Asians are economically successful

Question 8

What is the concept of “forever immigrants,” and how has it affected South Asian communities in the United States?

Prashad

Answer 8

Despite economic success, they will remain “perpetual foreigners” and will never be seen as “American”

Question 9

Why does India remain at the center of the H-1B debate?

Answer 9

Significant portion of them are Indian professionals

Question 11

Prashad states that there is a prejudice toward science in India (and South Asia in general). What does this preference for science translate into for South Asian American communities? Why do the majority of South Asian Americans choose STEM fields?

Answer 11

• South Asians focus on STEM because of colonial history, money, and job security
• U.S. policies favored STEM workers
• Parents, prestige, and job security push South Asians to STEM