FANHS to celebrate the "50th Anniversary of the Immigration and Naturalization Act of 1965"

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:August 8, 2014FILIPINO AMERICAN NATIONAL HISTORY MONTH in 2015to celebrate and focus on the50^TH ANNIVERSARY of the IMMIGRATION & NATURALIZATION ACT OF 1965At its national conference held in San Diego, CA, the Filipino American National Historical Society’s (FANHS) board of trustees approved the “50^th Anniversary of the U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Act of 1965”, as its official theme for Filipino American National History Month in October, 2015. The historical society is planning a year-long schedule of activities during 2015.FANHS and its founding president, Dr. Fred Cordova, have been the catalyst and major proponent of the month of October as a time dedicated to the history of Filipinos in America. This movement to recognize the experiences and achievements of the Filipino American community has steadily gained momentum and popularity within our community nationwide. Observances can be found on numerous college campuses, and with many state and local government entities. California, Hawaii, Oregon and Washington are states that have officially made this recognition, as well as the U.S. Congress.The Immigration and Naturalization Act (INA) of 1965 was signed by President Lynden B. Johnson on October 3, 1965. It dramatically changed the demographic landscape of America. The law abolished the National Origins Quota System; made family-based immigration the basis for U.S. immigration policy; and established a preference system for people with special occupational skills to become permanent residents.The Philippines, after Mexico, has been the largest beneficiary of the liberalized immigration law. According to U.S. Census and Homeland Security sources: in 2008 there were in the U.S. approximately 1.7 million foreign born Filipinos; and approximately 1.4 million native born Filipinos, most who were the children or grandchildren of one or both parents who arrived after 1965.FANHS believes that it is time to call attention to the impact of this fourth wave of immigration from the Philippines. The significance of the INA passed fifty (50) years ago continues to this day.Established in 1982, FANHS has thirty (30) chapters nationwide with more pending. The historical society gathers and preserves documents, shares, and disseminates information about Filipinos in the United States with individuals and institutions.#####For additional information contact: Dorothy Cordova, FANHS Executive Director(206) 322-0204 / fanhsnational@gmail.comDownload Press Release (pdf)