Sweeping Immigration Changes Pass

Congress on Saturday passed the first comprehensive reform of immigration laws in 66 years, expanding the number of people allowed to enter the United States by nearly 40% and changing the mix of skills and ethnic backgrounds.

When the law goes into effect in 1992, it will more than double the number of immigrants allowed entry because of their job skills, grant temporary “safe haven” to Salvadoran refugees and open the borders to tens of thousands of immigrants from Ireland and other nations who have been largely excluded under current laws.

It also wipes from the statute books decades-old restrictions barring entry to people on the basis of their beliefs or homosexuality. President Bush has indicated he will sign the bill.