The path to America was in hopes to offer individuals a better life with beneficial opportunities. However, for many, specifically early Asian Americans, this dream was quickly shut down. Starting around the late 18th century onwards, these immigrants faced complex challenges that make it incredibly difficult for Asian immigrants to call America their new homeland. Overtime, many Asian immigrants faced social and economic discrimination that led a barrier towards their American dream
As Asians sought a better life away from their homeland, they found America with promising opportunities and make their way to prosper into this new country. Upon arrival, Asian immigrants were immediately faced with complex laws such as quotas, which essentially limited the number of immigrants that were admitted. Due to Asians arriving in large groups, the immigration act of 1924 was implemented and limited the number of immigrants allowed entry into the U.S. to increase the chances for British and western European immigrants allowed in this country (The Office of the Historian,1). This was a major setback for many Asian immigrants to stay and thrive in the U.S, however still it was not enough to decrease the number of quotas. So, Congress then later incorporates a literacy test, that examines new immigrants reading and writing comprehension skills (Office of The Historian,2). At the time, these laws were in place so immigrant officials could make a judgement to whom to dismiss. These new laws posed a challenge for Asian Americans success in America.
Furthermore, as the rise of Asian immigrants increased, they faced significant discrimination and were treated unfairly by society which led to The Chinese exclusion act that banned all Asian immigrants from being in America. During 1882, D.C Congress passes the Chinese Exclusion Act, closing the door on all Chinese labored, first time in history a group of people is banned from entering the county solely based on race (Episode 1; Breaking Ground (Asian Americans, 23:00). This law reflected racism as America makes a prejudice judgment exclusively based on the color of their skin. As America implements The Chinese Exclusion act, society views Asian immigrants unwanted and unaccepted. In a subsequent event, during 1906, a devastating earthquake hits California and affected millions of citizens. Including China town, about 28,000 homes were destroyed and America sees it as an excuse to leave it in hopes Chinese population is decreased (America: Promise Land- Part 2, 30:00). During this era many Americans had a hatred towards Chinese immigrants which led to xenophobia, which essentially is the fear or disliked of people from foreign countries. The discrimination that Asian immigrant’s endured was resulted in racism and xenophobia from America’s society, which made it more problematic to settle and succeed in this U.S.
Consequently, Asian immigrant fought to stay in the land of America in hopes to make it their new homeland. They encountered many obstacles; one would include complications towards receiving nationalized citizenship. As The Chinese Exclusion act was still in tacked, according to the law, the only people that could receive citizenship would be blacks and whites. So many South Asians immigrants resorted into claiming they could be white themselves. In the case of Bhagat Singh Thind, Bhanget was an Indian man who joined the U.S army made the claim he was white and as he takes this case to the supreme court, he loses due to not being white enough (America: Promise Land- Part 2, 40:00). This case resulted in Bhanget citizenship being revoked as well as his identity. Many of these immigrants faced these obstacles towards receiving citizenship but were exhausted of this discriminating law. In the case of a Chinese immigrant named Wong kim Ark, he fought to guarantee citizenship for those born in the US. (America: Promise Land- Part 27:00). This showed many Asian immigrants decided to fight for their place in society rather than letting America suppress them in unfair ways due to not having political power. While dealing with discrimination, gaining naturalized citizenship was important because that meant gaining political power meant economic empowerment. It’s importance for prosperity in America economy could led Asian immigrants a quality of life to stay in the lands of America.
In summary, Asian immigrants went through many obstacles throughout history to gain prosperity in their potential new homeland. Stating as when they would first arrive to America, they were hit with complex quotas that made them harder to stay. As well as being treated unfairly by society and facing complications towards receiving citizenship due to The Chinese Exclusion Act. It is important to recognize the inequality Chinese immigrates faced because these obstacles posed social and economic discrimination that led a barrier towards the achievement of the American dream.