As a rapidly expanding, young, labor-starved nation, the U.S. in the 19th century was a mecca for immigrants eager for land and opportunity. While the majority of these were either from white, Judeo-Christian Europe or brought as chattel from Africa, increasing numbers also came from Asia, mainly China.

Unfortunately for them, racism was widespread and accepted. The "Chinese menace" inspired the first anti-immigration laws in the nation's history, an edict in 1862 forbidding American vessels to carry Chinese immigrants to the US. This was followed up 20 years later by even harsher anti-Chinese laws. All this makes the famous words engraved on the Statue of Liberty somewhat ironic.

Prejudice against Asians peaked in 1942 when, after the Japanese sneak attack at Pearl Harbor, thousands of Americans of Japanese descent were imprisoned in concentration camps and had their property confiscated. There was never any serious discussion about applying the same policy to German-Americans.