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Asians Were America’s First “Undocumented Immigrants”

30s

Connie Yu’s family story in the U.S. almost ended at the Angel Island Immigration Station, where her grandmother was detained for over a year, separated from her American-born children. In an atmosphere of nativism and hate, exclusionary laws have made Asians the nation’s first “undocumented immigrants.” Yet those who manage to stay, build families and communities in America.

Major funding for ASIAN AMERICANS is provided by Wallace H. Coulter Foundation; Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB); Public Broadcasting Service (PBS); Ford Foundation/Just Films; National Endowment for the Humanities; The Freeman Foundation; The Arthur Vining Davis Foundations; Carnegie Corporation of New York; Kay Family Foundation; Long Family Foundation; Spring Wang and California Humanities.
Extras
Asian Americans fight for equality and expand the definition of Asian American.
During a time of war, a young generation fights for equality and claim a new identity.
An American-born generation straddles their country of birth and their parents’ homelands.
At the turn of the new millennium, the U.S becomes more diverse, yet more divided.
In an era of exclusion and U.S. empire, new immigrants arrive and adapt to life in America
Annie Tan uncovers a dark moment in her family's history.
The history of identity, contributions, and challenges experienced by Asian Americans.
For Satsuki Ina, the question of loyalty began when she was born behind barbed wire.
Chinese immigrants who built the railroad were erased from history, but not forgotten.
After Filipino farmworkers walked off the grape fields, Mexican workers joined them.
Latest Episodes
Asian Americans fight for equality and expand the definition of Asian American.
During a time of war, a young generation fights for equality and claim a new identity.
An American-born generation straddles their country of birth and their parents’ homelands.
At the turn of the new millennium, the U.S becomes more diverse, yet more divided.
In an era of exclusion and U.S. empire, new immigrants arrive and adapt to life in America