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The Immigrant ExperienceBased on an assignment from Edgenuity U.S. History I courseImmigrants who came to the United States across the Pacific Ocean traveled through the Angel Island Immigration Station. Their experience was quite different from what European immigrants felt on Ellis Island. In this assignment, you will read first-hand accounts of Asian immigrants and European immigrants. Then you will write about the immigrant experience. Angel Island Immigration Station in San Francisco BayMany Asian immigrants wrote about their experience in journals. Choi Kyung Sik arrived at Angel Island in 1925. He wrote about his experience in a poem.A Night at the Immigration Stationby Choi Kyung SikThis tired travelerHas crossed a vast ocean —Why must I sleep behind iron bars?The rain cries out and wakes me upBecause it pities me.Angel Island, sleeping tight,No matter whether you hear this song or not,It is the complaint of a foreign guestWhose whole heart is burning.Even though it’s said America is wonderful,How pathetic it has made me.If my mother knew about this,How shocked she would be.This border created by rascals –When can it be broken?I hope people all over the worldWill become brothers soon.April 3rdWritten on a rainy night at the Immigration Station on Angel Island, San Francisco, America.Now that you‘ve read the poem, which statement best describes the writer‘s feelings?___ He was happy about how he was treated at Angel Island.___ He was excited about going through Angel Island.___ He was surprised and disappointed at the way he was being treated.Now, read Helen Yee’s account of her father’s life as a Chinese immigrant in San Francisco. As you read, think about what her father did to survive in America.Good Memories of My Dad, Chan Teung YeeBorn on October 13, 1911, in Canton (now called Guangzhou), China, my Dad, Chen Teung Yee, was a petite gentleman, who stood tall in his children’s eyes.? He was the sole surviving child in his family.? His grandfather was a blacksmith and his father was a fisherman.? The family farmed as well.My Dad was an adventurer, who immigrated to City of San Francisco when he was seventeen.? He arrived by ship and spent about six months on Angel Island before he was permitted to enter the United States.? We were never told why he remained at the immigration center so long, although he knew others who stayed even longer, or who were returned to China.Although he came as a student, my Dad was the typical sojourner who came to earn money in the United States (“Gold Mountain”).? He worked at various jobs but spent most of his life working in a laundry for a relative on Webster Street and later owning his own laundry on Leavenworth Street in San Francisco.? Customers considered my Dad a very friendly person, and he enjoyed having interesting conversations with them.? He worked very long hours, earning a living for his family.? Some of the family tried to start a poultry farm in Sonoma County, but they were not very successful.Chen Teung Yee’s passion was cooking, and he was great at it.? During some of his free time, he would hang out with the chefs at various Chinese restaurants in the City.? He also appreciated the life in the United States, and eventually wanted to stay.? He had dreams of owning a restaurant, but it never came to pass.? So he shared his excellent cooking with family and friends.? The family loved his crunchy bok choy and beef chow mein.? Another favorite was his whole melon soup, which he made during Chinese New Year. He made delicious American meals as well.Around 1937, he returned to China to marry my Mom, Suey Yeong Yee.? His wife gave birth to a son (Benny) in January of 1938.? Chen Teung Yee returned to the United States around late 1938.? He sent money home to his family and wrote letters telling his family and about the events in his life, including going to Pacific Exposition on Treasure Island.? World War II intervened, and he did not see his son and wife until their arrival in San Francisco in 1948 and 1952, respectively.Chen Teung Yee and his family had three more children upon the arrival of his wife in the United States.? They were William (born 1952), Helen (born in 1954) and Theodore (born 1956).? Everyone in the family worked in the laundry on Leavenworth Street.? He was able to buy a house in 1956.? Although the family never traveled far because of the long hours worked, my Dad shared good times with his children by taking them to Chinatown and to the Marina Greens to fly kites or go fishing.My Dad sadly died in April 1967.? After years of fighting a thyroid condition, his heart gave out.? Although he died young, he did enjoy life and was proud to be an American.? He valued education and the American Dream, and instilled these values in his children.Which challenges did Chan Teung Yee face?___ Detention for months at Angel Island___ Deportation back to China___ Poor living conditions___ Long work hours___ Owning his own businessMemories of Ellis IslandEllis Island Immigration Station in Upper New York Bay Read a quote from a Jewish immigrant who arrived at Ellis Island in 1917. As you read, think about how the young women were feeling.They asked us questions. “How much is two and one? How much is two and two?” But the next young girl, also from our city, went and they asked her, “How do you wash stairs, from the top or from the bottom?” She says, “I don’t go to America to wash stairs.”–Trifles,Pauline Notkoff How do you think the immigrant girl feels about being asked how to wash stairs?Check all that apply.___ Frustrated that she has to answer a question about that type of work___ Excited about earning money by washing stairs___ Hopeful that she will get a better job___ Proud of what she can do___ Happy that her family can speak EnglishSeymour’s StoryMy name is Seymour Rechtzeit and I was born in Lódz, Poland, in 1912. My family is Jewish, and I first began singing in our synagogue. By the time I was 4, I was called a wunderkind, or “wonder child” in English. Soon I was singing in concerts all over Poland.My family decided that I should come to America, where there would be more opportunities for me…Riding on a big boat across the Atlantic Ocean may sound like fun, but it wasn't. The two-week trip was miserable! Our beds were in steerage, way down in the bottom of the boat. It was lined with bunks, one on top of the other. It was uncomfortable and crowded. I went up on deck all the time, just to have space to move around…Back then, immigrants had to pass a medical examination before they were allowed to enter the country. Many people were sent back to where they came from. I was 8 years old and I was ill. I didn't know what was going to happen to me in America.At Ellis Island, my father, who was not sick, stood in long lines as part of the entry process. Officials asked him lots of questions about where he came from, what he did for a living back in Poland, and what his plans were in America. All immigrants had to answer these questions. Only then could the newcomers leave Ellis Island and take a ferry to New York — and finally set foot in America.When the doctor examined me, he discovered I had a cold. He said I could not go with my father, though I cried and begged. I was terrified to be all alone in this strange place.I stayed on Ellis Island for a few days, until I was feeling better. I had no toys with me. I didn't know of such things. But there were other sick boys to keep me company. Some of them spoke Yiddish, my language. We ate in a huge dining room. The food was different — it was American style. But it was good, especially the milk…My cold soon went away, and then the officials told me that my father and uncle were coming to get me. As I stepped off the boat from Ellis Island, I felt a rush of joy. All around me were hundreds of families greeting their relatives, welcoming them to America.That was the beginning of my new life in New York. Right away, I started singing in concerts and earning money to help bring the rest of my family to America. I sang in school, too. I sang "My Country 'Tis of Thee" and "The Star-Spangled Banner." I learned quickly…Within a few years, I had made enough money to bring my mother, brothers, and sisters to America…You just read four different stories about immigrants’ experiences. Even though these immigrants came to America through two different stations, they had many things in common.In complete sentences, list at least two examples of qualities that these immigrants shared. List at least one difference in their experiences. ................
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