The Immigration and Nationality Act of 1965, abolished the national quotas imposed by the National Origins Formula, in effect in the United States since the Immigration Act of 1921. It was proposed by Rep. Emanuel Celler, of New York, co-sponsored by the United States. United Senator Philip Hart of Michigan, and strongly supported by Senator Ted Kennedy of Massachusetts. An annual maximum limit of 300,000 visas was established for immigrants, including 170,000 for countries in the Eastern Hemisphere, with no more than 20,000 per country. In 1968, the annual limitation for the Western Hemisphere was set at 120,000 immigrants, with visas available depending on the order of arrival. However, the number of visas for family reunification was unlimited.
For those that could not write (So most), they carried a seal around either on a necklace or otherwise that they could use to stamp with ink to signify 'signing' something.
