Mini Lesson Selected Laws Affecting Filipino Immigration to the United States
- Grade Level 6th-12th Grade
- Time Period Late 1800s - 2009
Introduction
This Explainer activity by Duty to Country references the Under One Flag Online Exhibition, a free, chaptered digital exhibition that combines animations, illustrations, oral history clips, and narrative text to recount the full story of Filipino WWII veterans from 1892 to the present.
In this activity, students analyze a timeline of U.S. laws from 1898 to 1990 to trace how colonial status, race, and military service shaped Filipino immigration and naturalization over time. Students consider why activists called the 1990 Immigration Act, which finally allowed excluded Filipino veterans to naturalize, only a “half a loaf” victory.
For additional materials, activities, and supports for educators to learn about and teach this content, head to the Teaching with Duty to Country Resource Guide.
Essential Questions
How did Filipinos’ status as colonial subjects affect their ability to immigrate to the United States? What was similar to or different for Filipinos compared to other Asians?
How does race affect who can and cannot immigrate to the United States? When and how did race affect Filipinos’ ability to immigrate?
What effect does service in the U.S. military have on one’s ability to naturalize as a U.S. citizen? How were Filipinos affected by these laws?
How did the Rescission Act affect Filipino veterans’ ability to immigrate and naturalize?
What changed in 1965? Who benefitted? Who did not?
Why do you think activists called the 1990 Immigration Act “half a loaf” (partial victory)?