I've always wondered if a lot of what Ted Kennedy did in the Senate was driven by underlying guilt and trying to make amends in some way. His immigration bill has hurt the nation by pushing rapid demographic shifts and essentially overloading the 'melting pot'. It has hurt a lot of people, and weakened the nation. He, and his fellow 'privileged' class were never affected by the bills he pushed and passed. Other people, less privileged people, were made to suffer the consequences of his legislative actions - that he took in part to help clear his own conscience.
You have made an excellent point.
But I wonder if he would have supported immigration reform if the beneficiaries would be future Republican voters.
Also, I think much of the problem with immigration lies will illegal immigration, not covered by the 1965 legislation.