How Filipinos Came to America: Migration Waves

Spanish Colonial Era (1565–1898): Sailors on Manila‑Acapulco galleons jumped ship in Mexico/California; settled in Louisiana (St. Malo, 1760s).
U.S. Colonial Period (1898–1946): Pensionados (scholars), laborers (Hawaii plantations, Alaska canneries, West Coast farms).
Post‑WWII / Military: Navy stewards, veterans naturalized; War Brides Act.
1965 Immigration Act: Family reunification & skilled visas → surge (nurses, engineers, accountants).
Recent: H‑1B, student visas, family chains; concentrations in CA, HI, NY, NJ, IL, NV.

Today ~4.4M Filipino‑Americans (2022) – 3rd largest Asian‑origin group.

Central America