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Out Of Sight, Out Of Mind: United States Immigration Law And Policy As Applied To Filipino-Amerasians, Joseph M. Ahern

Washington International Law Journal

In 1982 the United States Congress passed the Amerasian Immigration Act, 8 U.S.C. section 1154(f). The 1982 Act provides preferential immigration status to children in Asia fathered by U.S. service personnel in Korea, Vietnam, Laos, Kampuchea, and Thailand. Congress passed the 1982 Act because of the poor economic and social conditions experienced by Amerasians in their homelands. The 1982 Act, however, excludes Amerasian children from the Philippines. Equity dictates that if Congress provides preferential immigration status to one group it should grant those same rights to groups who are similarly situated. Amerasians in the Philippines experience similar economic deprivation and …