19: Explaining Diversity: Asian and Pacific Immigration Systems

The most evident fact about Asian and Pacific immigration is its diversity. Whether one looks at the political and economic status of the countries of origin, the characteristics of the immigrants themselves, or their modes of adaptation in the host society, differences are more striking than similarities. Sending countries include socialist Vietnam, capitalist South Korea, and colonial American Samoa-each having quite different economic resources and strategies for development. Significant groups of immigrants include Hmong hill farmers, Indian scientists and engineers, Chinese businessmen, and Filipino service workers-as well as Thai, Filipino, and Korean women immigrating as marriage partners. After these various immigrant groups have arrived at their main destinations-the United States, Canada, Australia, or New Zealandthey find economic and social niches almost a8 diverse as their origins.