Seen, Rich, but Unheard? The Politics of Asian Indians in the United States
The history of Asian Indian immigration to the US & their demographic & socioeconomic profiles are reviewed. Many well-educated Asian Indians have immigrated since 1965, but the family reunification clause has also drawn less-educated Asian Indians since the 1980s. The popular perception is that this minority group is apathetic politically, but they have established political organizations & gained office throughout the century. They are more geographically dispersed than other Asian Americans, but their political activity is concentrated in 8 states where they are most numerous, with CA at the top. Immigration, discrimination, & US relations with India are the main issues affecting Asian Indian Americans, but they are also concerned with important issues like the economy, crime, & education, per a 1996 survey. Recent organizational trends show that Asian Indians exhibit a growing empowerment. 10 Tables. M. Pflum