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The Good Immigrants

How the Yellow Peril Became the Model Minority
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( 73 ratings, 7 reviews)
Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
The Good Immigrants by Madeline Y. Hsu explores the history of Asian immigrants in the United States, focusing on how they were often seen as a model minority. The book examines the shifting perceptions and policies from the late 19th to mid-20th century that affected Asian immigration, highlighting moments of both acceptance and exclusion. It's a thought-provoking analysis of the complexities surrounding immigrant identity and American cultural dynamics.
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Format: Paperback / softback
$11900

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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

You might enjoy this book if you're interested in exploring the complex history of U.S. immigration policies and how they shaped the experiences of Asian immigrants. It offers a deep dive into the social and political factors that influenced immigration laws and the broader historical context. This book may appeal to you if you appreciate insightful analysis of historical events and their lasting impacts on society.

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Conventionally, US immigration history has been understood through the lens of restriction and those who have been barred from getting in. In contrast, The Good Immigrants considers immigration from the perspective of Chinese elites--intellectuals, businessmen, and students--who gained entrance because of immigration exemptions. Exploring a century

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

Conventionally, US immigration history has been understood through the lens of restriction and those who have been barred from getting in. In contrast, The Good Immigrants considers immigration from the perspective of Chinese elites—intellectuals, businessmen, and students—who gained entrance because of immigration exemptions.

Exploring a century of Chinese migrations, Madeline Hsu looks at how the model minority characteristics of many Asian Americans resulted from US policies that screened for those with the highest credentials in the most employable fields, enhancing American economic competitiveness. The earliest US immigration restrictions targeted Chinese people but exempted students as well as individuals who might extend America's influence in China. Western-educated Chinese such as Madame Chiang Kai-shek became symbols of the US impact on China, even as they patriotically advocated for China's modernization.

World War II and the rise of communism transformed Chinese students abroad into refugees, and the Cold War magnified the importance of their talent and training. As a result, Congress legislated piecemeal legal measures to enable Chinese of good standing with professional skills to become citizens. Pressures mounted to reform American discriminatory immigration laws, culminating with the 1965 Immigration Act.

Filled with narratives featuring such renowned Chinese immigrants as I. M. Pei, The Good Immigrants examines the shifts in immigration laws and perceptions of cultural traits that enabled Asians to remain in the United States as exemplary, productive Americans.

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  • The Good Immigrants
    Conventionally, US immigration history has been understood through the lens of restriction and those who have been barred from getting in. In contrast, The Good Immigrants considers immigration from the perspective of Chinese elites—intellectuals, businessmen, and students—who gained entrance because of immigration exemptions. Exploring a century of Chinese migrations, Madeline Hsu looks at how the model minority characteristics of many...
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Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

The Good Immigrants by Madeline Y. Hsu has been praised for its in-depth research on U.S. immigration policies, especially highlighting how specific ethnic groups were granted exemptions. The book offers a valuable perspective on cultural interactions between the U.S. and China from the 19th to 20th centuries, addressing Chinese migration and refugee experiences during the mid-20th century. It's noted for filling gaps in understanding U.S. immigration history and providing context relevant to contemporary migration debates.

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Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9780691176215

Publisher: Princeton University Press

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 11 April 2017

Country: United States

Imprint: Princeton University Press

Audience: Tertiary education, Professional and scholarly

DIMENSIONS

Width: 152.0mm

Height: 235.0mm

Weight: 539g

Pages: 352

About the Author

Madeline Y. Hsu is associate professor of history and past director of the Center for Asian American Studies at the University of Texas at Austin. Her books include Dreaming of Gold, Dreaming of Home and the coedited anthology Chinese Americans and the Politics of Race and Culture.

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