During the coronavirus pandemic, Asian Americans have experienced a sharp increase in racist verbal abuse and physical attacks. From the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882, to the World War II internment of Japanese residents, to the 1982 killing of Chinese American Vincent Chin, anti-Asian racism has taken different forms over the course of our history. On Monday, March 8, Washington Post reporter Michelle Ye Hee Lee spoke with author and historian Erika Lee, together with author and activist Helen Zia, about how the past can help inform our understanding of where we are today.

As we mark this new era of immigration, historians are working together again to provide context, reflect on the significance of the policy changes, and advocate for social justice. We're starting by providing annotated comments on Biden immigration policies.

The project’s website includes fact-based research and reporting from reputable national media sources and think tanks; perspectives from experts, scholars, and political commentators; and provides a summary analysis of emerging trends and issues.

The University of Minnesota Immigration History Research Center recently launched the "Immigrants in COVID America" project to record the health, economic and social impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on immigrants and refugees in the U.S.