TABLE 1.

Restrictive immigration legislation enacted by Congress affecting Latin Americans, 1965–2010

1965	Hart–Cellar Act Imposed first-ever annual cap of 120,000 visas for immigrants from Western Hemisphere
1976	Amendments to Immigration and Nationality Act Put Western Hemisphere under preference system and country quotas
1978	Amendments to Immigration and Nationality Act Combined separate hemispheric caps into single worldwide ceiling of 290,000
1980	Refugee Act Abolished refugee preference and reduced worldwide ceiling to 270,000
1986	Immigration Reform and Control Act Criminalized undocumented hiring and authorized expansion of Border Patrol
1990	Amendments to the Immigration and Nationality Act Sought to cap visas going to spouse and children of resident aliens
1996	Anti-Terrorism and Effective Death Penalty Act Authorized expedited removal of noncitizens and deportation of aggravated felons
1996	Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act Increased resources for border enforcement, narrowed criteria for asylum, and increased income threshold required to sponsor immigrants
1996	Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Act Declared documented and undocumented migrants ineligible for certain entitlements
1997	Nicaraguan and Central American Relief Act Allowed registered asylum seekers from Central America (mostly Nicaraguans) in the US for at least 5 years since December 1, 1995 to obtain legal status; but prohibited legalization and ordered deportation for those who lacked a valid visa or who previously violated US immigration laws (mostly Guatemalans, Hondurans, and Salvadorans)
2001	USA PATRIOT Act Created Department of Homeland Security, increased funding for surveillance and deportation of foreigners, and authorized deportation of noncitizens without due process
2004	National Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Protection Act Funded new equipment, aircraft, Border Patrol agents, immigration investigators, and detention centers for border enforcement
2005	Real ID Act Sharply increased the data requirements, documentation, and verification procedures for state issuance of drivers licenses
2006	Secure Fence Act Authorized construction of additional fencing, vehicle barriers, checkpoints, lighting and funding for new cameras, satellites, and unmanned drones for border enforcement
2010	border Security Act Funded hiring 3,000 more Border Patrol agents and increased BP budget by $244 million