Arab American Heritage Month, celebrated in April, was only initiated in 2017. However, Arab Americans have had a significant presence in American society since the 19th century. This diverse group has roots in over a dozen countries, holds many different faith traditions and contains many unique cultures. The history of Arab American immigration closely mirrors the stories of so many migrant groups. Arab Americans, like other immigrants, sought political, economic and religious freedom in their new American home.
The First Wave of Arab Immigration: 1880 – 1924
The first Arabs arrived in North America as part of the transatlantic slave trade in the mid-16th century. These early Arab Americans hailed from North African Arabic-speaking countries, such as Morrocco, and constituted a minority of the predominantly West Central African slave population in the first American colonies. Aside from a few notable figures, like the explorer Estevanico, very little is known of this first Arab presence in the U.S.
The first wave of voluntary Arab immigration to the U.S. began in the 1880s and lasted until 1924. At the time, the Ottoman Empire was in decline and was facing ecological and political crises. Disease plagued Lebanese mulberry trees, essential to the lucrative silk industry. At the same time, the Ottoman government had begun conscripting Christians for involuntary military service.
In search of work and freedom from religious persecution, many Lebanese, Syrian and Palestinian Christians traveled to the U.S. and became factory workers in the North and Midwest. The impact of this migration can still be seen in the religious makeup of Arab American communities today. Despite the Muslim majority of many Arabic countries, most Arab Americans identify as Christian.
Approximately 95,000 Arab immigrants arrived in the U.S. during this first wave of immigration. This influx of Arab Americans was abruptly slowed with the passage of the Johnson-Reed Act of 1924. This piece of legislation imposed a strict quota system that prioritized immigrants from Western Europe to discourage ethnic diversity in the country. This law effectively halted Arab immigration to the U.S., a status quo that would remain until after World War II.
The Second Wave of Arab Immigration: 1945 – 1965
The first wave of Arab immigration was driven by working-class, blue-collar migrants. The second wave, beginning after World War II, was characterized by two major groups: skilled workers and refugees.
In the postwar period, the U.S. immigration system still operated on the quotas instituted by the Johnson-Reed Act. The few immigrants who were granted entry into the country had to provide a reason why they should be excluded from these quotas. The first group to do this successfully were highly qualified professionals, including doctors and engineers. Instability in Arab countries following World War II drew many upper-class, educated citizens to the U.S. in search of new opportunities.
In 1948, the establishment of the nation of Israel and the first Arab-Israeli war caused a Palestinian refugee crisis. Hundreds of thousands of displaced Palestinians fled to neighboring Arab countries, with many families also seeking refuge in the U.S. Revolutions in Egypt, Iraq, Algeria and Syria similarly drove asylum seekers to the U.S. The majority of these immigrants were Muslim, and this second immigration wave contributed to the religious diversity seen in Arab American communities today.
The Third Wave of Arab Immigration: 1966 – 1990
In 1965, the immigration quotas of 1924 were eliminated via the Hart-Celler Immigration and Nationality Act. The newly eased immigration requirements attracted migrants from all over the world, including Arab countries. Students, in particular, came to study in American schools and remained in the country after finding work post-graduation.
The refugee crisis that began in the 1950s also deepened in the following decades. The Lebanese Civil War and the Gulf Wars drove further immigration from Lebanon, Iraq and Iran.
The boom of immigration characteristic of this third wave brought over 400,000 Arab immigrants to the U.S. This wave lasted about 30 years. During this post-colonial period, a more unified Arab identity began to emerge, driven in part by the Pan-Arab movement. The immigrants who arrived in the U.S. during this time had a stronger sense of Arab identity. In generations past, cultural assimilation had been an almost legally necessary part of Arab immigration to the U.S. In the second half of the 20th century, however, Arab communities were more able to maintain the unique cultural practices they brought with them from their home countries.
Arab Immigration Today
The turn of the 21st century marked a shift in attitude toward Arab immigrants. While the quota system of 1924 had long since been eliminated, the racial discrimination that led to that system had never been confronted. This discrimination against Arab Americans reached new highs after the September 11 attacks in New York and Washington, D.C. The association of Arab Americans with the religion of Islam was cemented in public policy. Muslim Americans were targeted by programs such as Special Registration and Executive Order 13769.
At the root of the discrimination hampering Arab immigration is a monolithic view of all Arab Americans. Stereotypes that coalesced in the early 2000s treat all Arab Americans as if they have the same religion, national origin and culture. However, the history of Arab immigration paints a picture of diversity that continues in Arab American communities today. The 160-year history of Arab Americans demonstrates not only the tenacity and resilience of diverse immigrant groups who overcame numerous obstacles in their journey but also the rich cultural heritage there is to be found in the multiplicity of Arab American communities.
Supporting Inclusion Through Education
Cultural education is an important tool in overcoming bias and dispelling stereotypes about Arab Americans. Understanding Arab American roots in a host of diverse nations, and the subtle cultural differences between those nations, can prevent managers and employees from making assumptions about their Arab American colleagues based solely on their ethnic identity. Ninety percent of Fair360 Top 10 companies provide cultural awareness training programs for employees. At 40% of Top 10 companies, that training is mandatory.
The following organizations provide helpful resources for promoting cultural understanding of Arab American communities:
- The Arab American Institute: This advocacy organization works to protect Arab Americans from policy discrimination. It also hosts an online library with resources that provide information on Arab American demographics and the public policies that affect them.
- The Arab American Foundation: With cultural awareness training kits and a network of grassroots educators, the Arab American Foundation offers easily accessible educational materials for schools, governments and businesses.
- Arab American National Museum: In addition to its online resources, the Arab American National Museum also offers cultural competency workshops and presentations. These workshops are designed specifically to assist organizations in developing inclusive practices for their diverse workforces.
