Issei is a term used to refer to the first generation of Japanese immigrants to the United States. These immigrants primarily arrived in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, seeking economic opportunities and a better life. The Issei faced significant challenges, including language barriers, cultural differences, and racial discrimination in their new homeland. They often worked in agriculture, fishing, or small businesses and established close-knit communities to support one another. The experiences of the Issei and their descendants, the Nisei (second generation) and Sansei (third generation), are an important part of the history of immigration and ethnic relations in the United States.