On October 3, 1965, President Lyndon B. Johnson signed the Immigration and Nationality Act, also known as the Hart-Celler Act. The law abolished the national-origin quotas that had favored European immigrants since the 1920s, replacing them with a system that prioritized family reunification and skilled labor. The act was a landmark of the civil rights era, ending an era of race-based immigration policy and opening the doors to mass immigration from Asia, Latin America, and Africa. This legislation fundamentally changed the ethnic composition of the United States.

The Immigration Act of 1965 is a pivotal event in American literature, marking a shift toward a more diverse and multicultural national narrative. It created the conditions for a new wave of immigrant voices to enter the literary landscape, enriching American poetry and prose with stories from Asia, Latin America, and Africa. The act is frequently referenced in the works of immigrant and second-generation writers who explore themes of belonging, identity, and the changing face of America.