Asian Immigration to the United States in Historical Perspective

Hannah M. Postel

Journal of Economic Perspectives, 2026, vol. 40, issue 1, 191-214

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.

JEL-codes: J15 J18 K37 N31 N32 R23 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2026
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DOI: 10.1257/jep.20251453

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