There is growing interest among economists in public opinion towards immigration, something that is often seen as the … foundation for restrictive immigration policies. Existing studies have focused on the responses to survey questions on whether … the individual would prefer more or less immigration but not on his or her assessment of its importance as a policy issue …

The Immigration Act of 1965 marked a dramatic shift in policy and one with major long term consequences for the volume … and composition of immigration to the United States. Here we explore the political economy of a reform that has been … overshadowed by the Civil Rights and Great Society programs. We find that public opinion was against expanding immigration, but it …