The 1952 law tweaked but maintained the quotas established by the Immigration Act of 1924.

Section 212(f), states: “Whenever the president finds that the entry of any aliens or of any class of aliens into the United States would be detrimental to the interests of the United States, he may by proclamation, and for such period as he shall deem necessary, suspend the entry of all aliens or any class of aliens as immigrants or nonimmigrants, or impose on the entry of aliens any restrictions he may deem to be appropriate.”

No court has ever reversed a presidential order that is based on that provision.