American period Demographics of Filipino Americans

headquarters of government in exile , temporary capital of commonwealth of philippines

significant immigration united states began in 1900s, after spanish–american war when philippines became overseas territory of united states, , population became united states nationals. unlike other asians, unable immigrate united states due immigrations laws of time, filipinos, u.s. nationals, exempt. in december 1915, ruled filipinos eligible naturalization, , become citizens; naturalization continued remain difficult documented cases of denied naturalization , de-naturalization occurring in 20th century. filipinos, many agricultural laborers, settled in territory of hawaii , california.

a smaller group of immigrants sent on scholarship program established philippine commission, , collectively known pensionados ; first batch of these pensionados sent in 1903 , scholarship program continued until world war ii. these students chosen wealthy , elite filipino families initially, later more diverse background; additionally other filipino students came united states education outside of program, many of whom did not return philippines.

during wave of migration filipino men outnumbered women 15 1; therefore, nuclear families rare , indication of privilege. migration, known manong generation, reduced 50 persons year following tydings–mcduffie act classified filipinos aliens, offset united states navy s recruitment of filipinos, began in 1898 , authorized president william mckinley in 1901, exempt aforementioned quota. 1922, filipinos 5.7 percent of united states navy s enlisted personnel. in 1930, there twenty-five thousand filipino americans in united states navy, rated stewards, having largely displaced african-americans in rating.