This month represents many things for many groups; however, I would like to highlight two in particular... our Desi immigrant elders and those of us who identify as bicultural. Let’s start with the Immigration and Nationality Act of 1965. Prior to this legislation, citizenship for “non-Aryan” individuals was fervently contested. In 1790, laws were put in place to restrict naturalized citizenship to “white persons” and giving preference to Northern and Western European migrants. Following this law were several xenophobic laws, such as; the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882 and the 1917 Immigration Act (which tested the understanding of the English language as a gate keeping measure). To sum up the general vibe of US immigration laws at this time, we should be taking into consideration Adolf Hitler’s use of such legislation to shape his theories in Mein Kampf.
Desi Migration and Biculturalism
Desi Migration and Biculturalism
Desi Migration and Biculturalism
This month represents many things for many groups; however, I would like to highlight two in particular... our Desi immigrant elders and those of us who identify as bicultural. Let’s start with the Immigration and Nationality Act of 1965. Prior to this legislation, citizenship for “non-Aryan” individuals was fervently contested. In 1790, laws were put in place to restrict naturalized citizenship to “white persons” and giving preference to Northern and Western European migrants. Following this law were several xenophobic laws, such as; the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882 and the 1917 Immigration Act (which tested the understanding of the English language as a gate keeping measure). To sum up the general vibe of US immigration laws at this time, we should be taking into consideration Adolf Hitler’s use of such legislation to shape his theories in Mein Kampf.