Lecture on the Amerasian Homecoming Act and Asian Community Issues

Background on Amerasian Children

• Controversy over children of U.S. soldiers in Asia, particularly those abandoned.
• These children lived in poor conditions, prompting support for action in the U.S.

American Homecoming Act

• Also known as the Amerasian Homecoming Act.
• An act of Congress providing preferential immigration status to children in Vietnam born to U.S. fathers.
• Key dates:
  • Written in 1987
  • Passed in 1988
  • Implemented in 1989
• Impact:
  • Increased Vietnamese Amerasian immigration to the U.S.
  • Allowed mixed race identity establishment by appearance alone.
  • Provided refugee benefits to Amerasian children and their immediate relatives.
  • Approximately 23,000 Amerasian children and 67,000 relatives entered the U.S. under this act.
• Limitations and Controversies:
  • Not the first attempt by the U.S. government.
  • Included only Vietnamese Asian children of white American fathers, excluding other Southeast Asian nations.

Related Documentaries and Film Clips

• A documentary on the impact of the act on Amerasian children.
• Three film clips related to the topic.

Significant Cases in the Asian Community

• Murder of Vincent Chin:
  • Important case illustrating anti-Asian hate.
• Wen Ho Lee:
  • Accused of espionage and wrongfully imprisoned.
  • Wrote a book on his experience and trial.

Contemporary Issues

• Current migration of Chinese students to the U.S.
• Rise in Asian hate linked to Donald Trump's rhetoric blaming COVID on China.

Conclusion

• The unit aims to explore these interconnected issues within the Asian community.
• Emphasis on historical and contemporary impacts of legislation and societal attitudes.