Vietnam by Amber Lam

Vietnam War

AmberLam — 2018-03-14 18:03:39 UTC

In 1955-1975 the Vietnam War occurred. During this time protests against the Vietnam war occurred in the United States. Everything was chaos. At the end of the War, when the United States lost, a large scale of Vietnamese immigration occurred.

“Boat People” Phenomenon

AmberLam — 2018-03-14 18:18:57 UTC

In 1978
thousands of Vietnamese fled to neighboring countries in rickety boats. It is the most massive relief effort in history.

Escape of Khmer Rouge

AmberLam — 2018-03-14 18:19:11 UTC

Former Khmer Rouge had escaped to Vietnam because they opposed Pol Pot’s (Cambodian Communists led by the French-educated Pol Pot) extremist practices. In late December 1978 they returned accompanied by 120,000 Vietnamese troops to topple the government.

Secret Bombing of Cambodia

AmberLam — 2018-03-14 18:20:22 UTC

In 1969-1973 President Richard Nixon authorized secret bombing raids in Cambodia. The bombings caused more and more Americans to voice their dissatisfactions with the Vietnam war.

1980-2000

AmberLam — 2018-03-14 18:20:37 UTC

Vietnamese immigration doubled every decade. In 2000 it increased in 26% making it the sixth largest immigrant group.

Hart-Celler (1965) Act

AmberLam — 2018-03-14 18:20:54 UTC

The Act allowed all immigrants (not just Europeans) legal and unauthorized to come to America.

1980 Refugee Act

AmberLam — 2018-03-14 18:23:17 UTC

The1980 Refugee Act adopted the United Nations’ definition of “refugee” as a person who is outside of his or her country and is unable or unwilling to return to it (fear of being persecuted for reasons of race, religion, nationality, membership of a particular social group or political opinion).

Orderly Departure Program

AmberLam — 2018-03-14 18:23:36 UTC

It welcomed Vietnamese refugees who fled in 1978 to come to U.S because some countries rejected them.

Amerasian Homecoming Act

AmberLam — 2018-03-14 18:23:50 UTC

In 1987 the Amerasian Homecoming Act allowed 30,000 children of military and civilian personnel stationed in Vietnam and their immediate family to America.

Humanitarian Operations

AmberLam — 2018-03-14 18:24:09 UTC

In 1989 the Humanitarian Operations allowed thousands of Vietnamese who suffered under communists rule, mainly from South Vietnam, into America.

Bibliography

AmberLam — 2018-03-14 18:24:43 UTC

1. “Bombing of Cambodia.” Bombing of Cambodia - Ohio History Central, www.ohiohistorycentral.org/w/Bombing_of_Cambodia.

2. Chuong, Chung Hoan and Minh Hoa Ta. 2003. "Vietnamese Americans" Asian-Nation: The Landscape of Asian America.

3. Chan, Sucheng. “Cambodians in the United States: Refugees, Immigrants, American Ethnic Minority.” Oxford Research Encyclopedia of American History, Oxford University Press, 8 June 2017, americanhistory.oxfordre.com/view/10.1093/acrefore/9780199329175.001.0001/acrefore-9780199329175-e-317 https://www.migrationpolicy.org/article/fifty-years-1965-immigration-and-nationality-act-continues-reshape-united-states.

4. Chishti, Muzaffar, et al. “Fifty Years On, the 1965 Immigration and Nationality Act Continues to Reshape the United States.” Migrationpolicy.org, 2 Mar. 2017, www.migrationpolicy.org/article/fifty-years-1965-immigration-and-nationality-act-continues-reshape-united-states.

My Dad's Story

AmberLam — 2018-03-14 19:19:36 UTC

On November 20,1980 my dad and his family flew from Hong Kong to America. My dad is a Vietnamese citizen, but because of the war between Vietnam and China, and the fact that the family was part Chinese his family had to flee. My dad, my three aunt's, my grandma and grandpa, my great grandma, and my dad's great grandaunt all ended up on a boat to China where they were picked up by the Hong Kong authorities. My dad was four when he had to leave behind his home. Because they were refugees, my dad and his family stayed in Hong Kong for 2 years. The only reason why they moved to America was because they had absolutely no choice. My dad and grandma figured that life would be better in America, and they would be put in jail by the Vietnamese government if they didn't go to America.

AmberLam — 2018-03-14 19:22:40 UTC

This is a picture of my dad when he was little with my great grandma taken in Vietnam.