National Origins Act of 1924

The Immigration Act of 1924, also known as the National Origins Act, was U.S. legislation that significantly limited immigration by establishing quotas based on the national origins of existing U.S. residents, predominantly favoring northern and western Europeans. It aimed to restrict immigration from Southern and Eastern Europe and virtually excluded Asians. The law reflected nativist and racial biases of the time, reducing overall immigration and shaping the demographic makeup of the United States for decades. It remained in effect until the 1960s, when newer laws replaced it with more equitable policies.