The Making of Asian America: A History

The 1965 Immigration and Nationality Act ushered in a new era for Asian Americans. More lax immigration policies allowed new immigrants to come to the US from Asia. As the US sought to present itself as a superior choice in the context of the Cold War, the country was forced to address its racist past and race-based immigration policies. For example, John F. Kennedy’s 1958 A Nation of Immigrants addressed these questions and called for immigration reform. At this time, Asian Americans were also involved in many campaigns linked to civil rights: from women’s liberation and LGBTQIA+ rights to anti-war activism during the War in Vietnam (1955-1975).

The 1965 Immigration and Nationality Act remains the foundation of 21st-century immigration policy. First, it transformed the character of immigration primarily coming from Asia and Latin America rather than Europe. In the 20th century, peak immigration occurred between 1911 and 1920, then after the 1980s with each following decade. In 2010, 13% of the total US population was born abroad. Second, the policy focused on family reunification and professional skills. Reasons for immigration varied: family-based immigration, work opportunities, war, foreign adoption, and political situation at home.

In this context, Asians have been “represented on both extremes of the educational and class spectrums” (287).