South Asian immigration to the United States has unfolded in distinct waves, each shaped by immigration laws, global events, and economic conditions. Understanding these patterns reveals how the community has evolved from a small group of agricultural workers to one of America's most successful immigrant populations.

The first wave (1899-1917) brought approximately 7,000 South Asians, primarily Punjabi Sikhs, to the West Coast. These pioneers came seeking economic opportunities and fleeing colonial oppression, finding work in lumber mills, railroads, and farms. This initial flow ended abruptly with the Immigration Act of 1917.

The exclusion period (1917-1946) saw virtually no new immigration and significant return migration. The small community that remained faced severe legal discrimination and social isolation. The Luce-Celler Act of 1946 allowed a token 100 Indians per year to immigrate, beginning a slow trickle of family reunification.

The third wave began with the Immigration Act of 1965, which abolished national origin quotas and prioritized skilled workers and family reunification. This triggered an unprecedented flow of educated professionals—doctors, engineers, scientists—fundamentally changing the community's socioeconomic profile.

The 1980s and 1990s saw continued growth through family reunification, bringing more diverse segments of South Asian society. The H-1B visa program, established in 1990, created a new pathway for technology professionals, contributing to South Asian prominence in Silicon Valley.

Today's South Asian American community, numbering over 5 million, reflects these varied immigration streams—from descendants of early farmers to recent tech workers, creating one of America's most diverse and dynamic immigrant communities.