Immigration and Nationality Act of 1965

Immigration following the 1965 Act contributed an estimated $2 trillion to U.S. GDP annually by 2023. Immigrants and their children founded 45% of Fortune 500 companies. H-1B visa holders contribute approximately $60 billion in annual tax revenue. The foreign-born population grew from 9.6 million (4.7%) in 1965 to 46.2 million (13.7%) in 2023.

The Act fundamentally transformed American demographics, shifting immigration from primarily European to Latin American, Asian, and African sources. Family reunification became the primary immigration pathway, accounting for over 60% of permanent admissions. The Act contributed to a more diverse nation, with the foreign-born population representing over 190 countries. Second-generation immigrants have the highest upward economic mobility of any demographic group.

USCIS processes approximately 8 million immigration applications annually. Immigration courts have a backlog of over 3 million cases as of 2024. The diversity visa lottery receives over 20 million applications for 55,000 slots. ICE conducts approximately 200,000 removals annually.