Immigration Rewind

Immigration news today is often an echo of the past. We delve into the archives to bring you stories that matter now. Have a hidden history to tell us about? Submit your idea here.

November 29, 2017

But its mission will live on, writes Andrew Lam.

Business

How a Japanese American business survived World War II and tied together two families

PRI's The World

November 10, 2017

A Japanese immigrant named Gijiu Kitazawa started his seed company in 1917 in San Jose, California. A century later, it's still in business — but it wasn't always easy.

Global Politics

The surprising history of the green card lottery

PRI's The World

November 02, 2017

It was intended to benefit undocumented Irish immigrants.

Conflict

In the shadow of a racist past, Portland still struggles to be welcoming to all its residents

Otherhood

October 26, 2017

A murder on a Portland light rail train brought back a lot of memories of painful times in the city's history.

Conflict

Japanese Americans weren't the only US citizens housed in camps

PRI's The World

October 18, 2017

This is why the head of Indian Affairs offered up a Colorado reservation as a site to imprison Japanese Americans during World War II.

Culture

There hasn’t been a Japantown in Chicago since the 1980s, but this exhibit is bringing the community back together

PRI's The World

October 17, 2017

Some 20,000 Japanese Americans were resettled in Chicago after being imprisoned by the government during World War II. Now their belongings are on display in Lincoln Park.

Global Politics

Another time in history that the US created travel bans — against Italians

PRI's The World

October 02, 2017

In the 1920s, the US demanded that Italy help them vet immigrants. They created barriers for immigrants considered to be a threat — physically, culturally or politically.

Arts

An anonymous psych patient is now acclaimed as a master artist of the immigrant experience

PRI's The World

August 24, 2017

For years, Mexican artist Martín Ramírez was only known as a psychiatric patient who made drawings. That narrative is changing.

Music

Why this musician wants to understand xenophobia today by remembering the past

PRI's The World

August 05, 2017

Five years ago, a white supremacist opened fire in a Sikh temple in Oak Creek, Wisconsin. Now, small groups are coming together to remember the long history of South Asians in America.

Culture

Why telling my grandmother’s story helped me better understand today’s refugees

PRI's The World

July 11, 2017

Nearly a decade ago, Rachael Cerrotti began a search for a family story that is most often relegated to history books — the journey of a World War II refugee. But with today's political climate, her grandmother's story no longer feels so remote.

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