Between 1906 and 1935, the first large wave of Filipino immigration to the United States began, with Filipinos being recruited to work in agriculture, canneries, and the U.S. Navy in California, Alaska, and Hawaii. As U.S. nationals following the Spanish-American War, Filipinos were allowed to enter the country without the restrictions faced by other Asian groups. By 1930, over 100,000 Filipinos had come to the U.S. mainland, establishing communities and contributing to the labor force. This migration established a significant Filipino-American presence in the United States.

The Filipino migration to the U.S. is a central subject in Filipino-American literature, most famously in the works of Carlos Bulosan, whose novel 'America Is in the Heart' chronicles the struggles of Filipino laborers. His poetry and prose explore themes of exploitation, racism, and the quest for dignity. The migration also features in the works of contemporary Filipino-American writers who examine the legacy of colonialism and the complex history of their community in the U.S.