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    The Indian Eye
                                            TIMELINE INDIAN AMERICANS                                                                       22
                                                                                                                         JULY 10, 2026

                         From Pioneers to Power Players:

             The Indian-American Journey in America

                   From a handful of pioneering immigrants in the late 19th century to one of America’s most

              influential communities today, the Indian-American journey mirrors the nation’s evolving story of

                                                     opportunity, resilience and achievement

                 The first generation of Indian settlers in California  The Silicon Valley boom                        Kamala Harris

                   Late 1800s – First Indian arrivals                                                  cultural organizations and community associations
                The first immigrants from India, mostly Sikh                                           across the country. The community becomes more
            farmers  from  Punjab,  arrive  on  the  West  Coast                                       visible while maintaining strong cultural ties with
            of the United States. They seek opportunities in                                           India.
            agriculture, railroads and lumber mills, laying the                                                1990s – The technology boom
            foundation for the Indian-American community.
                                                                                                          The rapid growth of Silicon Valley fuels a new
            1900s–1910s – Punjabi settlements in California                                            wave  of  immigration.  Thousands  of  Indian  soft-
                Indian immigrants establish farming commu-                                             ware engineers, entrepreneurs and technology pro-
            nities in California’s Central Valley, particularly                                        fessionals help shape America’s digital revolution.
            around Yuba City and Stockton. Despite facing racial                                             2000s – Rise in business leadership
            discrimination and restrictive laws, they contribute                                          Indian  Americans  emerge  as  founders  of
            significantly to the state’s agricultural development.
                                                                                                       successful startups and leaders of major corpora-
               1913 – Formation of the Ghadar Movement                                                 tions. The community also expands its presence in
                The Ghadar Movement is established in San                                              finance, healthcare, law, education and scientific
            Francisco by Indian expatriates advocating for In-                                         research.
            dia’s independence from British rule. The move-                                                   2010s – Political influence grows
            ment highlights the growing political engagement   The growing political influence in the Congress  Indian Americans gain greater representation
            of the Indian diaspora.
                                                                                                       in public office at the local, state and federal lev-
                    1917 – Asiatic Barred Zone Act                                                     els. Their influence also expands through advoca-
                The U.S. Congress passes the Asiatic Barred   100 people from India. It marks the first major im-  cy groups, campaign fundraising and public policy
            Zone  Act,  effectively  banning  immigration  from   provement in the legal status of Indian immigrants.  initiatives.
            much  of  Asia,  including  India.  The  legislation   1965 – Immigration and Nationality Act  2021 – Kamala Harris becomes Vice President
            drastically slows the growth of the Indian-Ameri-  A landmark immigration reform abolishes the   Kamala Harris is sworn in as the first Indian
            can community.                               national-origin  quota  system,  opening  the  doors   American, first woman and first Black American
                                                         to skilled immigrants from India. The legislation
                   1923 – Bhagat Singh Thind case                                                      to serve as Vice President of the United States,
                The U.S. Supreme Court rules in United States   transforms the demographic profile of Indian im-  marking a historic milestone for the community.
            v. Bhagat Singh Thind that Indians are not eligible   migration to the United States.                 2026 – America at 250
            for  naturalized  citizenship  because  they  are  not   1970s – Growth of Indian professionals  As the United States celebrates its 250th anni-
            considered  “white”  under  American  law.  Many   Doctors, engineers, scientists, professors and   versary, the Indian-American story reflects one of
            Indian  immigrants  lose  their  citizenship  rights.  students  arrive  in  increasing  numbers,  becoming   the nation’s greatest immigration success stories—
                                                         an integral part of American universities, hospitals
                        1946 – Luce-Celler Act                                                         from a handful of pioneering farmers facing exclu-
                Congress  passes  the  Luce-Celler  Act,  allow-  and research institutions.           sion to a vibrant community helping shape Amer-
            ing  Indian  immigrants  to  become  U.S.  citizens   1980s – Expansion of the community   ica’s future while serving as a vital bridge between
            and establishing an annual immigration quota of   Indian-American  families  establish  temples,   the world’s two largest democracies.

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