Why were Chinese American immigrants frequently detained when trying to immigrate through Angel Island?
1 Answer
They were subject to more scrutiny and discrimination because of their race.
Explanation:
Ellis Island, which is the famous port and immigration screening center in New York Harbor, accommodated many immigrants from Europe. Due to their race, they were not subject to as much scrutiny and discrimination when they wanted to enter the United States. Although they needed the proper documents to enter, immigration officials believed that they would assimilate as Americans and bolster the economy.
On the other hand, Chinese immigrants in Angel Island were greeted with scrutiny and scorn due to their looks, dress, language, and religion. Many of these aspects were unfamiliar to Americans, and they looked upon them with disdain. In addition, many Chinese immigrants started to pour in at the time of the 1849 Gold Rush, and Americans were worried that they would take American jobs. These worries were reflected in the 1882 Chinese Exclusion Act, which restricted Chinese immigration. This led to the detention of Chinese immigrants at Angel Island.
For more information about the Angel Island experience, you should definetely check out this great C-Span lecture .
