Even though I grew up surrounded by a sizable Asian Indian community, it's still a culture I know very little about. It was interesting to learn about the culture through my outside research and interview with my neighbor, Nimita Kommogu. I learned a lot about the various waves of Indian immigration and the importance of the visa process. I also gained a deeper understanding of what it means to grow up Indian in California. The history of Indian immigration to the United States was surprising because I didn't realize how recently immigration began. Widespread migration from India to the United States did not truly begin until 1965. Between 1820 and 1960, fewer than 15,000 Asian Indians were allowed to legally enter the United States (Das, 135). This changed in 1965 with the Immigration and Nationality Act, which began the increased flow of Indian immigrants (Keely, 162). It is important to note that Indian immigration was limited by skill level. Only men and women “with the professional skills needed in American society could emigrate from the Indian subcontinent,” which dramatically changed the composition of immigrants (Das, 139). Indian immigrants before the 1960s immigrated primarily to California and western states. (Li, 168) However, as more and more immigrants move here, the Indian population has spread and now has significant populations on the East Coast as well. (Li, 168) There is a predominant tendency for Indians, as well as other Asians, to move to the suburbs instead of urban areas. This is especially relevant in California, where large communities of Indians have begun to characterize some suburban cities. I interviewed my neighbor Nimita, who goes by Nate, for my article. She identifies as American Indian…average…wealthy or middle class. Nate explained that most Indians who were allowed to immigrate, especially in earlier years, had to be wealthy. This made me think more about various stereotypes and what we associate with different ethnicities and how these may arise from historical or social events. If Indians were allowed to immigrate with varying skill levels or without needing to be wealthy, would perceptions of Indians in the United States be different? How many other stereotypes of various ethnicities have been created by similar circumstances? These questions, while hypothetical, help situate my thoughts about Indians in the United States and different ethnic communities. It's interesting to think about what could have happened and how much of my perception of the world was influenced by things that had never even crossed my mind..