Asian Immigration to the United States in Historical Perspective
Abstract
Asian Americans are the fastest-growing immigrant group in the United States, yet Asian immigration remains relatively understudied in quantitative social science. This paper reviews the historical evolution of Asian immigration, focusing on six major origin countries—China, Japan, India, the Philippines, Korea, and Vietnam—to show how US immigration and foreign policy shaped the size and composition of immigrant arrivals. It then examines subsequent patterns of demographic composition, geographic settlement, and socioeconomic characteristics. Taken together, the evidence highlights the enduring influence of US policy regimes on Asian immigration over time.
Fields of Study & Subjects
Migration
Ethnicity
and Economy
Migration and Labor Dynamics
Asian American and Pacific Histories
Publication details
- Journal / source
- The Journal of Economic Perspectives
- Publisher
- American Economic Association
- Volume
- 40
- Issue
- 1
- Pages
- 191–214
- Publication date
- 1 February 2026
- Language
- EN