The 101st Congress (1989-1991) did not significantly amend the McCarran-Walter Act of 1952; rather, the major changes to that act were made by the
Immigration and Nationality Act of 1965 (Hart-Celler Act), which abolished the national origins quota system. While the 101st Congress didn't alter the foundational 1952 act, the 1965 act established the framework for modern U.S. immigration law by prioritizing family reunification and special skills over the restrictive national origins system that had been a cornerstone of the 1952 legislation.
Major amendments: The Immigration and Nationality Act of 1965 is the landmark legislation that made the most significant changes to the McCarran-Walter Act, including:
Eliminating the national origins quota system.
Replacing it with a system that gave priority to family members of U.S. citizens and those with specific skills.
No significant action by the 101st Congress: There is no record of the 101st Congress making substantial changes to the McCarran-Walter Act. Its significance was largely superseded by the 1965 reforms, which are the focus of historical discussions about the 1952 act's legacy.