War Brides Act

[4] The act was well supported and easily passed because family members of servicemen were the recipients,[5] but concerns over marital fraud caused some tension.

[9] In 1950, Congress voted to bring back the War Brides Act and this return expanded the privilege of immigration on a non-quota basis to Korean and Japanese spouses.

[5] Servicemen and their demands to bring their wives home forced Congress to resolve a tension in American immigration law and policy, between family unification and racial exclusion.

[4] The federal courts and US immigration service had demonstrated a history of facilitating family unification, but it was not widely available to all racial groups, specifically Asians.

[5] On the other hand, those that advocated for immigration restriction supported family reunification because it could be used to uphold national origins and maintain racial segregation.

[3] The amendment allowed Asian spouses, but not children, of active and honorably discharged members of the armed forces eligible for non-quota immigration.

[3] The War Brides Act was passed for three main reasons: recognition of men's rights to have their wives and children with them, reward for military service and the principle of family unification.

[4] It was a widely held belief that servicemen who served their country selflessly and were viewed as heroes should be able to bring their wives and families home to the United States with them.