The Impact of the Refugee Act of 1980 on Immigration to the United States
What effect did the Refugee Act of 1980 have on refugees immigrating into the United States?
a. Allowed specific provisions for refugees from Southern and Eastern Europe
b. Provided a uniform procedure for refugees to be admitted into the United States
c. Permitted refugees to set up communities in or around major metropolitan areas
d. Allowed refugees access to "green cards" that would allow them to work in the United States
Answer:
The Refugee Act of 1980 established a uniform procedure for admitting refugees into the United States, based on a flexible quota system and the United Nations definition of a refugee.
The Refugee Act of 1980 had a significant impact on refugees immigrating into the United States. Specifically, the act provided a uniform procedure for refugees to be admitted into the United States. By adopting the United Nations definition of a 'refugee' as anyone with a 'well-founded fear of persecution' based on politics, religion, race, or nationality, it reformed US immigration laws to be more flexible and humanitarian.
This allowed the quotas to be adjusted annually and included a focus on individual circumstances rather than Cold War politics which had influenced asylum decisions in the past. Moreover, the act barred any individuals who participated in the persecution of others from being considered refugees, aligning with international standards on human rights.