Nepalese American

Nepalese American

Total population
59,490 As of 2010
Regions with significant populations
New York City Metropolitan Area · Washington Metropolitan Area · California · Minnesota · Texas · Maryland · Colorado · New Hampshire · Washington
Languages
English · Nepali · Nepal Bhasa · Limbu · Gurung
Religion
Hinduism · Buddhism · Kirant Mundhum · Christianity
Related ethnic groups
Nepali people · Newar · Rana · Shah · Tamang · Gurung · Limbu · Rai · Magar

Nepalese Americans or Nepali Americans are the Citizens or Permanent Residents staying in United States whose ethnic origins lie fully or partially in the Asian nation of Nepal. The category also includes other Nepali language speaking people migrated from India, Bhutan or Myanmar. Their migration to the United States began in the 20th century, and they have been able to establish themselves in this new land. The history of immigration to America for Nepalese is short in comparison to other ethnic groups.

History

Nepalese Americans seem to have begun migrating to the United States from early 20th century. The first Nepalese to enter the United States were classified as "other Asian". Immigration records show that between 1881 and 1890 1,910 "other Asians" were admitted to the United States. However, Nepal did not open its borders until 1950, and most Nepalis who left the country during that time primarily went to India to study. Nepalese Americans were first classified as a separate ethnic group in 1974, when 56 Nepalese had immigrated to the United States. The number of immigrants from Nepal remained below 100 per year through 1992.^{[citation needed]}

According to the 1990 U.S. Census, there were 2,616 Americans with Nepalese ancestry. Fewer than 100 Nepalese immigrants become U.S. citizens each year, but the number of Nepalese who become legal residents has grown steadily from 78 in 1987 to 431 in 1996. The Nepalese community experienced a significant growth in population during the 2000s. The poor political and economic conditions caused by the Nepalese Civil War markedly increased emigration from Nepal. Significant communities of Nepalese Americans exist in large metropolitan areas such as New York City, Washington, D.C., Baltimore, Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Denver, Gainesville, Florida, Portland, Oregon, Houston, Philadelphia and Saint Paul, Minnesota. Sizable numbers also live in various cities of California.^{[citation needed]}

Bhutanese Nepali

50,000 Bhutanese refugees living in various refugee camps of Nepal are being resettling in USA. They share common Language and culture with main stream Nepali. By June 20, 2010 27,926 Nepali-Bhutanese have been resettled in USA.

Since 1990 ethnic Nepalis more than 105,000 in numbers, who were forced out of their country, the Bhutanese refugees, temporarily settled in refugee camps in eastern part of Nepal. After the 15 years of exile they are now being resettled in US, Europe and Australias. By the end of resettlement program it is estimated that around 50,000 of Bhutanese will be in U.S.

Notable Americans of Nepali origin

• Kiran Chetry, news anchor, CNN.
• Karishma Manandhar, Film Actress.
• Samrat Upadhyay, Author.
• Tara Devi Black, Dancer.
• Prabal Gurung, Fashion Designer.

See also

• List of Nepal-related topics
• Nepal
• Nepalese Australian
• Nepalis in the United Kingdom

External links

• Association of Nepalis in the Americas http://anaonline.org
• Nepalese Society of Texas http://nepalesesociety.org
• Non Resident Nepali Association (USA Chapter) http://www.nrn.org.np/nrna/nrnicc.php
• Nepali News - eKantipur http://www.kantipuronline.com/
• Embassy of Nepal in USA http://www.nepalembassyusa.org/index.php
• Nepal Profile from US Dept. of State http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/5283.htm
• CIA world fact book - Nepal https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/np.html
• America-Nepal Friendship Society http://www.anfsusa.org/
• Greater Boston Nepali Community http://www.gbnc.org/
• Bhutanese Refugee Association of USA http://www.aba-usa.org/