The Heart Sellers and a landmark law that reshaped the country
- Sarah Chong Dickey
- 1 day ago
- 2 min read
In 1965, the United States passed a revolutionary immigration law that reshaped the face of the nation: The Hart-Celler Act, also known as the Immigration and Nationality Act of 1965. Sponsored by Senator Philip Hart of Michigan and Representative Emanuel Celler of New York, the Act abolished the long-standing national origins quota system that had heavily favored immigrants from Western Europe.
For decades, U.S. immigration policy had been designed to preserve a narrow vision of American identity. Quotas based on national origin, established in the 1920s, severely restricted immigration from Asia, Africa, and parts of Eastern and Southern Europe. These policies not only reinforced racial and ethnic hierarchies but also kept families separated across continents.
The Hart-Celler Act changed all of that.
Driven by the ideals of the Civil Rights Movement and signed into law by President Lyndon B. Johnson on October 3, 1965, the new legislation opened America’s doors to the world. It prioritized family reunification and skilled labor, setting a new tone for who could call the U.S. home.
For the first time, significant numbers of immigrants from countries like the Philippines, Korea, India, and China were able to come to the United States as permanent residents, professionals, and future citizens.
Why It Matters to The Heart Sellers
The Heart Sellers by Lloyd Suh takes place in the 1970s, when the first wave of Asian immigrants arrived under the new law’s provisions. Many came in search of opportunity, but also struggled with isolation, identity, and belonging in a country just beginning to redefine itself.
With humor, vulnerability, and heart, The Heart Sellers tells a story that’s rooted in immigration policy but powered by human connection. Jane and Luna’s journey is not just about where they came from, but how they find a sense of home - together.
Heart Sellers runs October 3 - 19 on the Austin Playhouse Studio Stage