Filipino Immigration to America

By Nycole
  • Feb 13, 1565

    The Spanish Expedition

    A man named Ferdinand Magellan led an expedition to circumnavigate the globe and came across the Philippine Islands. The Spanish took special interest and colonized the islands from and took possession in the years of 1565-1898

  • Spanish Trading

    The Spanish set up a trading route from Manila to the United States entering through New Orleans port. Filipino residents snuck themselves onto these ships to come to America. They made their first settlement in Louisiana and made a living by fishing along the Mississippi River. They were known as “Manilamen”

  • Philippine Revolution

    In 1896, the Spanish invaded the islands and started a revolution. To escape the war citizens fled to Hawaii and the west coast states to find a safe home and a simple income. By 1898, the Philippines took the victory against the Spanish ending the revolution.
  • Period: to

    Philippine Revolution

    In 1896, the Spanish invaded the islands and started a revolution. To escape the war citizens fled to Hawaii and the west coast states to find a safe home and a simple income. By 1898, the Philippines took the victory against the Spanish ending the revolution.

  • Second Immigration Wave

    Filipino Immigration spiked in 1906 to Hawaii and California for farming and agricultural jobs when the Japanese culture went on strike for more equal pay. The Filipinos were willing to do all the work for little pay.

  • The Jones Law

    The Jones Law was passed stating that the Filipinos can gain independence as soon as a stable government is established. This meant that anyone who traveled before gain of independence could travel to America as a citizen.

  • Wave Before World War

    Rumors of a war started spreading throughout countries around the world, This caused a huge wave of Filipino immigrants throughout all of the main ports across America.

  • Japanese Invasion

    In 1941, Japan invaded the Philippines forcing thousands of citizens to immigrate to America. It wasn’t until 1944 that they were able to regain control of the Philippines and some of the citizens returned to their native country.

  • Tydings-McDuffie Act

    The Tydings-McDuffie Act provided independence to the Philippines. After the signing of the treaty with America there were over 30,000 immigrants who transferred over from the Phillippines.

  • Higher Education Act

    The final thing that still continues to draw in Filipino immigrants was the Higher Education Act. It was created to strengthen the education systems and universities and provide financial assistance especially to post-secondary students.

  • Immigration and Nationality Act

    1965 was the biggest year of immigration for America from all countries. The Immigration and Nationality Act abolished nation-of-origin restrictions.