Indian-American

For an article on American Indians see Native Americans.

An Indian American is an American by residence or citizenship who has ancestry originating in the Indian subregion of South Asia. For example, a great number of Indian Americans were born in India and immigrated to the United States, or were born in the United States and have Indian ancestry. Another significant example is that of Americans of Indian origin from other parts of the world's Indian diaspora, and their descendants in America.

Numbering at least 2.5 million, Indian Americans account for slightly less than 1% of the total population of the United States. Indian Americans are the largest subgroup of South Asian Americans , and the third-largest subgroup of Asian Americans, after Chinese Americans and Filipino Americans. 2 million Indian Americans are either legal citizens or permanent residents, and an additional 500,000 to 1 million others work in the country and have been granted work-permits and visas, but are not citizens or permanent residents. Many Indian Americans specialize in the fields of computers and medicine; while many others are engineers or other specialists.

There are many negative stereotypes about Indian Americans, such as the idea that all Indians in the USA perform menial jobs like working at 7-11 or driving taxis. At the same time, however, many individuals, particularly those in the fields of medicine and technology, consider Indian Americans to be the epitome of the model minority. Indeed, according to the U.S. Census Indian Americans have the highest median income of any ethnic group in the U.S. ($60,093). In addition, Merrill Lynch recently revealed that there are nearly 200,000 Indian American millionaires. And according to the American Association of Physicians of Indian Origin, there are close to 35,000 Indian American doctors.

Demographic and Cultural Profile

Like the terms "Asian American" or "South Asian American," the term "Indian American" is also an umbrella label applying to a huge mosaic of cultures, and people of widely varying socioeconomic status, education, place of residence, generation, views, values, lifestyles, and appearance. While statistics below describe general trends, no attempts can fully portray the diversity of the community.

Economics

Indian-Americans generally do very well and are well off.

Education

Many are doctors, engineers, and IT. They comes for graduate school and work as Teaching Assistants.

Settlement

Large numbers in New York, New Jersey, and California. Chicago and NYC.

Language

They have an edge over other immigrants because of the better comprehension of English leftover from British rule.

Community-oriented Businesses

There are food and video stores that have South Asain food and Hindi movies.

Cultural Establishments

There are a number of Hindu temples in American. ISKCON is established in the US. Vivekananda brought Hinduism to the West.

Entertainment

They have Hindi radio stations in areas with a high Indian population.

History and Immigration

Timeline

1943: Republican Clara Booth Luce and Democrat Emanuel Celler introduce bill to open naturalization to Indian immigrants to the US. Prominent Americans Pearl Buck, Louis Fischer, Albert Einstein and Robert Mullikan give their endorsement to the bill. President Franklin Roosevelt also endorses the bill, calling for an end to the "statutory discrimination against the Indians". - - July 3, 1946: President Harry Truman successfully persuades enough Members of the US Congress to pass the bill. President Trumans signs into law the Celler-Luce Bill. - - 1956: Dalip Singh Saund elected to the US Congress. He will be re-elected to a 2nd and 3rd term, winning over 60% of the votes. - - 1965: President Lyndon Johnson signs into law, the elimination of per-country immigration quotas, and the introduction of immigration on a first come first serve basis. - - 2004: Bobby Jindal elected to the US Congress, taking 78% of the vote.

Current Social Issues

This section is a stub for current issues and questions in the community.

Classification

Asian-American is usually assumed as mongoliod in the US even though India is apart of Asia.

Unity

There's a big rivalry between Gujartis and Punjabis.

Discrimination

Since Sept.11, many Indians have been mistaken targets for hate crimes. A sikh was shot for being mistaken for an Arab. Osama Bin Laden wore a turban and this shown on TV repeatedly. Skin color of an Indian and his accent can also lead to discrimination.

Immigration

Media Portrayal

In the media, Indians are depicted as cheap and usually as store owners and taxi drivers even though many are top fields of science and industry.

Assimilation

They assimilate pretty well and usually have no problems with other American groups.

Marriage

Usually in customs are observed during marriaged. Indians do marry with other ethinicities in America.

Politics

This section is a stub for political activity, political organizations, involvement in foreign politics, and notable political figures.

Books on Indian Americans

The Karma of Brown Folk by Vijay Prashad of the University of Minnesota.

Films with Indian American Subject Matter

Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle

Indian-American - Your Art History Reference Guide!