The author examines the relationships between immigration policy, observed immigration patterns, and cultural differences between the United States and immigrants' source countries. The entirety of U.S. immigration history (1607-present) is reviewed through a recounting of related legislative acts and by examining data on immigrant inflows and cross-societal cultural distances. Prior to the Immigration Act of 1965, U.S. policy favored immigration from Europe, particularly Northern and Western Europe. Thus, American culture became similar to the cultures of European societies and of...