What was a significant limitation imposed by the Immigration and National Securities Act?

The Immigration and Nationality Act of 1952, also known as the McCarran-Walter Act, introduced significant restrictions on immigration, particularly through its national origins quota system. One of the notable limitations imposed by this act was the cap on the number of immigrants allowed to enter the United States from any single country, restricting the number to no more than 20,000 individuals. This was part of a broader effort to regulate immigration based on national origins, which favored immigrants from Western European countries while limiting those from other regions.

This limit was significant as it reflected the U.S. government's prioritization of certain nationalities in its immigration policy during the mid-20th century, creating challenges for individuals from countries with larger populations or from non-Western or developing nations who sought to immigrate to the United States. The act contributed to a more restrictive immigration environment that persisted until reforms were enacted in the 1960s, which aimed to eliminate such quotas.

In contrast, the other options do not accurately represent the provisions of the Immigration and Nationality Act of 1952. The act did not impose an outright ban on all immigration, it did not restrict entry exclusively to refugees, nor did it prioritize families of US citizens in a way that