U.S. Immigration Act of 1965 and Asian Brain Drain

Of the several immigration reforms in the United States, the 1965 Immigration and Nationality Act Amendments in particular has been regarded as the most crucial turning point in immigration policy. It generated the most substantial changes both in quality and quantity of immigrants in the recent history of the U.S. The primary focus of this paper is an analysis of the 1965 Immigration Act and its significant effects upon American society as well we on the affected Asian countries. A major effect of the 1965 Immigration policy was the Asian “brain drain.” This refers to the migration of highly skilled and educated immigrants, especially those from three major Asian countries, Taiwan, the Philippines, and South Korea in the period from 1965 to 1976. While the brain drain in general resulted in economic benefits for the United States, it created major controversy in terms of its moral and economic implications for the sending Asian countries. While the shortterm consequences of the loss of scientists and technicians were probably minimal for some developing countries, the brain drain during 1965-1976 posed increased economic problems in others. As late as 1976, it seemed to threaten to retard the economic development of the home countries by creating shortages of vitally needed, highly skilled personnel. As a major recipient of the brain drain, the United States faced a paradox. On one hand, the United States promoted the economic well-being of Third World countries by foreign aid, technical assistance, and the Peace Corps during the 1960s and 1970s; on the other hand, as the recipient of professionals, scientists and engineers, and medical personnel, it seemed to take away the very kinds of people the developing countries needed to sustain their growth. During the 1960s and 1970s, the brain drain was perceived in Asia and America as threatening the future of economic development of these developing countries.