WELCOME TO ANGEL ISLAND ..
![Picture](/uploads/1/3/7/9/13790458/1393286370.png)
Like people of other ethnicities, the Chinese immigrated to the United States for better lives. As more and more Chinese immigrants began to come to the United States, the more jobs were taken by them. Americans became upset with the Chinese because they felt as though their work opportunities were being taken. Some Americans even accused the Chinese of monopolizing jobs. Since the Americans saw this as “unfair”[2] stiff immigrations laws were passed. The main new law being the Chinese Exclusionary Act. The Exclusionary Act limited the Chinese from coming to America.[3] Chinese who had already immigrated to America had to prove that they had a husband or a father who was a United States citizen or else they would be deported. The question of how to actually implement the Act soon arose. Starting in 1910 Chinese immigrants were detained at Angel Island. Angel Island was created on the largest island in the San Francisco bay in 1910. It was created with the sole purpose of detaining and questioning Chinese immigrants. It was meant to control the amount of Chinese entering the country, since they were officially unwelcomed by the passage of the Chinese Exclusion Act in 1882. Surrounded by public controversy from its inception, the station was finally put into operation in 1910. Immigrants arrived from approximately 84 different countries, with Chinese immigrants constituting the single largest ethnic group entering at San Francisco until 1915, when Japanese
![Picture](/uploads/1/3/7/9/13790458/1393285601.png)
outnumbered the Chinese for the first time.[4] Chinese immigrants traveled across seas to U.S to have a better environment for themselves but also for their families. As the were traveling they made a pit-stop to the famous island, widely known as the “Ellis Island of the West.” This island became their safe grounds, this is where they felt like they were finally safe from the horrors of their country. The majority of immigrants processed on Angel Island were from Asian countries, specifically China, Japan, Russia and South Asia.[5] United States officials were hoping to send back as many Chinese people as possible by asking them varied questions that United States officials knew the Chinese would have a problem answering. As time went on the interrogation process became more grueling filled with questions-near impossible to answer. An angel island detainee voiced his experience on Angle island and quoted “Each day, we were escorted to the dining area, where we ate Chinese food, we ate rice, meat, and vegetables. We also ate bread and fruit. The food was good and was supplemented by the government. But we were not treated kindly.”[7] After receiving this unwelcomed meal, it didn’t help that “The officials seldom smiled or acknowledged us. I hated the detention and I was worried that we could be deported, but I did not have to worry for long.”[8] They would leave the Chinese in holding cells for days, separating the men and women. Families were torn apart and thrown in barracks to wait sometimes days on end. With little to do on an isolated island Chinese had a hard time figuring out how to pass the time. Inside of the barracks that they were thrown in the immigrants would express their frustrations and fears through poetry, stories, and carvings.[9] Others would simply sit pondering when their appeals would be heard. After United States officials had decided that too many immigrants were coming over they decided to keep them on Angel island for even long periods of time before being questioned. Being detained for weeks, months, or even years was not uncommon. The Chinese Exclusionary Act that was supposed to last for a mere ten years went on to last until 1943[10], which was much longer than expected.
![Picture](/uploads/1/3/7/9/13790458/1393285762.png)
Although decades went by of Angel Island being a vision of false hope, in the end, it allowed thousands of Chinese to start new lives for themselves and their children. It is estimated that 175,000 Chinese immigrants were processed through Angel Island.[11] Many Chinese were detained in Angel Island anywhere from two weeks to several months because of the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882. Chinese people all have different memories that they have taken from Angel Island. Although many Chinese remember the hardships they faced and the struggle for a better life one detainee wrote a book about his experiences on Angel Island “I’ve had a good life living here. I encounter very little prejudice today. I have many friends that span the color of the rainbow. My life is comfortable and my children are happy in their chosen professions. I live in a multi-ethnic development. All my siblings are successful, law-abiding citizens. We have achieved our American Dream.”[13]
1] "Angel Island: Immigrant Journeys of Chinese-Americans." Angel Island: Immigrant Journeys of Chinese-Americans. (accessed February 16, 2014). http://www.angel-island.com
[2] "Angel Island SP." Angel Island SP. (accessed February 21, 2014). http://w
ww.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=468
[3] "Angel Island: Immigrant Journeys of Chinese-Americans." Angel Island: Immigrant Journeys of Chinese-Americans. (accessed February 2, 2014). http://www.angel-island.com
[4] "Angel Island: Immigrant Journeys of Chinese-Americans." Angel Island: Immigrant Journeys of Chinese-Americans. (accessed February 9, 2014).http://www.angel-island.com
[5] "Angel Island: Li Keng Wong's Story | Asian Pacific Amerian Heritage | Scholastic.com." Angel Island: Li Keng Wong's Story | Asian Pacific Amerian Heritage | Scholastic.com (accessed February 6, 2014).http://teacher.scholastic.com/activities/asian-american/angel_island/index.htm
[6] "Angel Island: Immigrant Journeys of Chinese-Americans." Angel Island: Immigrant Journeys of Chinese-Americans. (accessed February 6, 2014). http://www.angel-island.com
[7] "Angel Island: Li Keng Wong's Story | Asian Pacific Amerian Heritage | Scholastic.com." Angel Island: Li Keng Wong's Story | Asian Pacific Amerian Heritage | Scholastic.com (accessed February 6, 2014).http://teacher.scholastic.com/activities/asian-american/angel_island/index.htm
[8] "Angel Island: Immigrant Journeys of Chinese-Americans." Angel Island: Immigrant Journeys of Chinese-Americans. (accessed February 6, 2014). http://www.angel-island.com
[9] Lingen, Marissa. Chinese immigration. Philadelphia: Mason Crest Publishers, 2004.
[10]"Angel Island: Immigrant Journeys of Chinese-Americans." Angel Island: Immigrant Journeys of Chinese-Americans. (accessed February 19, 2014).http://www.angel-island.com
[11] "Angel Island: Immigrant Journeys of Chinese-Americans." Angel Island: Immigrant Journeys of Chinese-Americans. (accessed February 16, 2014). http://www.angel-island.com
[12] "Angel Island: Li Keng Wong's Story | Asian Pacific Amerian Heritage | Scholastic.com." Angel Island: Li Keng Wong's Story | Asian Pacific Amerian Heritage | Scholastic.com (accessed February 6, 2014).http://teacher.scholastic.com/activities/asian-american/angel_island/index.htm
[13] Lingen, Marissa. Chinese immigration. Philadelphia: Mason Crest Publishers, 2004.