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Boonkham Boonthong and his family were the first Kmhmu family in the Seattle in 1978. Here, Boonkham is congratulated by fellow Kmhmu David Keopraseut after recieving his U.S. citizenship in 1988.

Before arriving in America, the Southeast Asian Refugees stayed in resettlemet camps to learn English and prepare for survival in te new land. Pictured are Laotian refugees in Nong Kay camp in Thailand in 1981. From left: Mrs. Korakahn Phoulaiat,…

Many Filipinos obtained their citizenship through military service. Displayed is the Navy uniform of Napoleon Banaag Daligdig, donated by the Daligdig family. Duffel bag donated by Jack Kudo.

In 1963, Har Krishan Lal Gupta and his wife, Suman Gupta, pay a visit to Washington D.C. to thank legislators who helped sevure a special visa for Mrs. Gupta to enter the U.S. The two married in India, but Mr. Gupta, a Washington state employee,…

In 1967, Shiv Batra immigrated to the U.S. as a 22 year old student. After fulfilling his dream of attaining engineering degrees, he settled in Seattle. In 1983, he and a partner established INCA Engineers, Inc., an engineering firm in Bellevue,…

Pictured here are three Korean students at the University of Washington in 1948. From left, Soon-Chul Hong, Young-Bae Kim and Kesang Chun.

In 1948, this ship brought Kesang Chun on a 15-day journey to America. Chun, in his 20s at the time, paid $300 for his fare. He came to attend the University of Washington.

In 1972, the Korean Women's Assocaition was establised in Tacoma to provide mutual support to Korean women married to Americans. The organization offers Englih as a Second Language programs and other services for Asian Pacific Americans in Pierce…

"Pensionados," students subsidized by the Philippine governmen, came to this countruy beginning in the early 1900s with the dreams of furthering their education. Even for later immigrants, education is still seen as a means to a better future.…

By 1930, there were about 25,000 Filipino sailors, primarily stewards and chefs. Many eventually served more than 20 years in the Navy. Pictured is Seattle resident Gene del Rosario, who enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1942.