chinese immigration – Asian American / Asian Research Institute

ILLEGAL: The Chinese Immigrants of Angel Island

May 25, 2021May 18, 2021 By Skyler Chin and Olivia Facini

Skyler Chin will present on Illegal, a poetry-rap-rock musical based on his grandfather’s immigration documents from when he was detained on Angel Island in 1923. The lyrics are inspired by poetry carved into the walls by Chinese Angel Island detainees. Chin wrote Illegal to give voice to Asian Americans like his grandfather whose stories had been left out of history, and to convey the fighting spirit of the people who began to define what it takes to become American.

Paper Sons

October 1, 2018June 18, 2004 By Betty Lee Sung, Wendy Cheung and Winifred C. Chin

This panel discussion will discuss the history of “Paper Sons” and the impact this phenomenon had on family relationships within the Chinese community during the 20 th Century. The panel will also explore how the secretive “Paper Son” system has affected the cultural and political roles of Chinese Americans today. Paper sons were Chinese immigrants … Read more