Nationwide, Cities United For Immigration Action Vow To Strengthen The Diversity Of Our Country Through Immigration Initiatives

NEW YORK – Today, commemorating the 50th Anniversary of President Johnson’s signing of the Immigration and Nationality Act of 1965, a landmark legislation that removed race-based quotas, Cities United For Immigration Action released the following statement:

"Enacted alongside the historic reforms of the Civil Rights Movement, the Immigration and Nationality Act of 1965 transformed U.S. policy for the better. By eliminating race-based quotas, this law helped desegregate our nation's borders and provided a roadmap to economic growth fueled by diversity. On this 50th anniversary of its passage, we will recommit our cities to the law's core American principles: to foster diversity, keep families together and expand our economy by welcoming immigrants.”

The Immigration and Nationality Act of 1965 (also known as the Hart-Celler Act) eliminated race-based quotas in the country’s immigration laws and is widely viewed as a major victory for civil rights, as well as a significant contributor to the vibrant diversity and strength of the United States today. President Lyndon Johnson signed the bill at the foot of the Statue of Liberty on October 3, 1965.

Cities United For Immigration Action (CUIA) is a coalition of nearly 100 cities and counties, launched in late 2014 to lead the effort to promote and execute immigration reforms nationwide.

Earlier this year, cities and counties in CUIA – representing 43 million people across the country – filed a friend-of-the-court brief arguing that the district court judge who temporarily blocked implementation of the new immigration programs failed to consider the significant harms to America’s local governments caused by this delay.

For more information on the actions cities are taking, visit: http://citiesforaction.us/