Indian Americans
I. Introduction Common knowledge would dictate that in order for a traditionally under-represented ethnic group to improve their economic status, they must have equal access to resources that will aid in economic improvement. The possibility of attaining these resources directly correlates to the political and economic atmosphere, both domestic and international. This paper will attempt to determine if this theory relates to the Indian American ethnic group. The flourishing geopolitical relationship between the United States and India, combined with an atmosphere of increasing competitiveness among the international community in regards to technological advancement and innovation led to the mass distribution of H-1B visas to Indians (Pew 2012, 27). This paper will ascertain whether or not the mass distribution of work and student visas to Indians directly affected the strikingly rapid socioeconomic ascendance of contemporary Indian Americans. Throughout this paper Indian American social and economic traits will be analyzed and expanded upon to determine the plausibility of this correlation, as well as explore the possibilities of how these traits will affect the future of Indian American influence on society and politics. II. Historical Overview and Basic Demographics With the passage of the Immigration and Nationality Act of 1990, Indian immigration to the US began to flourish (Pew 2012, 10). This Act was designed to place preferential treatment on the US family ties and the skill level of immigrants. Prioritizing skill level was meant to allow the United States to remain competitive in the international labor force market (Pew 2012, 10). It allows companies to hire highly qualified international employees who can make valuable contributions that enable their respectful employers to remain competitive in an atmosphere of constant technological innovation and growth. The passage of this Act
Cited: U.S. Census Bureau. Selected Population Profile in the United Staes, 2011, acessed November 13, 2012, http://factfinder2.census.gov/faces/tableservices/jsf/pages/productview.xhtml?pid=ACS_11_1YR_S0201&prodType=table The Pew Research Center. 2012. "The Rise of Asian Americans." Last modified July 12, 2012. http://www.pewsocialtrends.org/files/2012/06/SDT-The-Rise-of-Asian-Americans-Full-Report.pdf Accessed November 12, 2012.