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Major Events in Asian Pacific Islander American History • Chinese Exclusion Act (1882) Resulting from anti-sentiment against Chinese laborers (Coolie) taking other immigrant jobs in mines, farming, railroad work. The first and only time the U.S. restricted labor immigration based on ethnicity. The Act was renewed repeatedly and expanded to all other Asian ethnicity until 1943.
• Immigration Act of 1917 continued the trend that had developed in the Chinese Exclusion Act and Gentleman’s Agreement and banned immigration from almost all countries in Asia-Pacific
• In 1943, the exclusion laws were replaced with a Quota system until 1965 with yearly quotas of German: 26,000 Irish: 18,000 China: 100 Japan: 100
• Citizenship was denied to AA/PI immigrants until 1952.
• Immigration & Naturalization Act of 1965 expanded policy to be more inclusive and balanced; it did not make up for past restrictions and resulted in huge backlog of waiting applicants The Facts • 5% of the total U.S. population is of Asian descent and the fastest growing community of color
• Almost 70% of the U.S. AA/PI community is foreign born
• 63% of APA immigrants enter as a result of Family Reunification Immigration policy, however, the current backlog ranges anywhere from 10 – 20 years wait before approval.
• One million out of 12 million AA/PI immigrants in the U.S. are undocumented: approximately 1 in 12 AA/PI.
• By 2050, the population projection predicts an increase from 300 million to over 400 million people and half of the growth will be due to immigration.
• By 2050, the U.S. will have a shortage of 10 million workers and the average immigrant contributes $1,800 more in taxes than he or she receives in benefits & services
• Over 11% of the current U.S. population is made up of documented immigrants and growing. • 1 in 2 new U.S. workers is an immigrant
• 1 in 5 students in grades K – 12 are children of immigrants and 5% of these students are limited English proficient.
• 1.8 million immigrants enroll annually in ESL classes and the demand overwhelms the availability The STRIVE Act 2007 • Eliminate backlog of immediate family-based immigrants by increasing the visas available to immediate family
• Two requirements before earned legalization of undocumented and New Workers program can be implemented 1. Increased surveillance technology and border security & 2. Electronic Employment Verification System for employers to determine eligibility to work created
• Provides an earned legalization program for undocumented immigrants
• Sets up a realistic flow of low (H-2C) and high (H-1B) skilled workers
• Includes the Dream Act, a bill providing undocumented immigrant students assistance to attend college
STRIVE Act Concerns • “Touch-back” requirement – head of household must leave and return to the US by joining the end of the immigration line. This is a major hardship for families who have already worked many years to establish themselves. In addition, many of these families do not have the resources and money to spend to pick up to leave and come back.
• The definition of a terrorist, material support, and due process’ effect on refugees and asylum are not addressed.
Citizenship Fee Hikes • Application fees for legal permanent residency rise from $325 to $905
• Citizenship application fees will rise from $330 to $595
• Fingerprint and biometrics fees will rise from $10 to $80
Citizenship Fee Concerns • Increases difficulty and time of becoming a US Citizen, some immigrants will have to save for an additional year or more
• Citizenship cost for a family of 4 will rise at least 300% of current costs
• Discourages immigration, in a country of immigrants, and punishes those who have entered the country legally
New Citizens Test • A pilot test to ensure that immigrants understand the principles that underlies American society
• A pilot program will be rolled out in 2007
New Citizens Test Concerns • Culturally biased questions that even the average natural American cannot answer
• Makes citizenship more difficult to achieve
• None of the pilot programs are being tested in A/PIA highly populated area
More Information
• National Immigration Forum
• Asian American Justice Center
• The Urban Institute
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