South and east Asian immigration into the united states: From exclusion to inclusion

Abstract

Asians were the first immigrants to be excluded from migrating to the United States. Congress banned the Chinese in 1882, and the Gentlemen's Agreement (1908) limited Japanese migration. Further restrictions came in 1917 and with the passing of the Oriental Exclusion Act of 1924. By the time of the Second World War it appeared as if Asians would not be able to emigrate to the United States. Yet by the late 1970s Asian immigration reached a new high point and accounted for about 40 per cent of the total immigration. Changes in immigration law, beginning with the repeal of the Chinese Exclusion Acts in 1943 and culminating with the 1965 amendments to the basic laws, opened the door again for Asian immigration. Growing ethnic and racial toleration, a healthy economy and foreign policy considerations made it possible for reformers to change the law. Yet Congress did not foresee how Asians would be able to use the new preference system. Nor did the legislators foresee the fall of the American‐backed government...