Immigration to Silicon Valley

Video: What forces pushed Congress to pass this law changing U.S. immigration policy?

Several key forces pushed Congress to act: 1. The Civil Rights Movement challenged racial discrimination in all parts of American life, including immigration laws. 2. Cold War politics pressured the U.S. to appear as a global leader of democracy and fairness, making racist immigration quotas a diplomatic liability. 3. Presidential leadership, especially from John F. Kennedy and Lyndon B. Johnson, who framed immigration reform as a moral issue. 4. Public opinion was shifting—more Americans were open to diversity and recognized the outdated nature of the quota system. 5. Advocacy groups, including civil rights and religious organizations, lobbied for reform.

Handout: What do you notice about the effects of this law? 1. The abolition of quotas opened the door for people from Asia, Latin America, Africa, and the Caribbean to immigrate to the U.S. in greater numbers. 2. The new preference system emphasized family reunification and skilled labor, which changed the profile of immigrants coming to the U.S. 3. President Johnson’s remarks made it clear the law was about aligning immigration policy with American values of fairness and equality. 4. Historian Mae Ngai points out that although the law aimed to be fair, it still had unintended consequences, such as increased unauthorized immigration from Latin America due to new caps.

Two Stories on Immigration in Silicon Valley: What do you notice?

“Why Silicon Valley wouldn’t work without immigrants” * Immigrants play a crucial role in innovation, founding companies, filing patents, and filling key roles in the tech industry. * The story shows how immigration policy directly affects economic competitiveness.

“The undocumented workers who built Silicon Valley” * Highlights the invisible labor behind tech’s physical infrastructure—undocumented workers who built the buildings and campuses. * It reveals the inequality between high-skilled tech immigrants and low-wage undocumented workers, both essential to the region’s success.

3 Takeaways 1. The 1965 Immigration Act transformed U.S. demographics by allowing more immigrants from non-European regions. 2. Immigration is not only about tech talent—it also includes the labor of undocumented workers who helped build physical spaces. 3. U.S. immigration policy continues to shape both the economy and society, often in complex and unexpected ways.

2 Questions 1. How can immigration policy better recognize and protect both high-skilled and low-wage immigrant workers? 2. What lessons from the 1965 Act can inform current debates about immigration reform?

1 Connection * This connects to modern-day debates about immigration, especially in tech hubs like Silicon Valley, where immigrant contributions—both visible and invisible—are foundational to success.