AIISF - Passages Newsletter Archive
Inspired by Angel Island
The poems that were carved on the walls of the Immigration Station by Chinese immigrants continue to move people. Those poignant, angry, reflective and visceral expressions are universal declarations of the human spirit In the coming months, we will share some recently translated poems written by Japanese immigrants to Angel Island. Written both by men and women, these poems were sent to Bay Area Japanese newspapers from 1910 to 1930.
As part of the celebration of the Immigration Station’s 100th anniversary in 2010, we will publish the works of contemporary poets who have been inspired by the Angel Island poems. Nancy Hom and Leon Sun are artists and community activists as well as poets. We are pleased to share their work with you.
If you would like to submit poetry to be posted on our website, please write to
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Interview of Stephen Louie, Chinese Interpreter
Chinese Interpreter, 1949 to 1954, US Immigration Office, San Francisco
By Jim Huen
Angel Island Immigration Station operated from 1910 to late 1940 when a fire closed the Station. The U.S. Immigration office then moved to a temporary location in San Francisco at 801 Silver Avenue and operated there until 1944 when a new permanent immigration facility was built and opened at 630 Sansome Street. It was also known as the U.S. Appraisers Building, housing other federal agencies. This facility is still an active immigration office under its current name United States Citizenship and Immigration Services under the Department of Homeland Security. Little has been written about these two San Francisco immigration facilities.In our continuing effort to document and record the Chinese immigration experience to America, AIISF was fortunate to interview the last known living Chinese interpreter Stephen Louie who worked full time at the Sansome Street facility for five years, from 1949 to 1954. In October 2009, Mr. Louie agreed to be interviewed about his work experiences there. Here are Mr. Louie’s recollections as he remembers them in his own words.
2008 eNewsletter
Spring 2006
Construction starts at Immigration Station, CCHC funds $3.6 million for site, History Corner: More stories from the Angel Island Oral History Project. Download PDFSpring 2005
Immigration Station Bill Passes in U.S. House, AIISF Welcomes New Executive Director, Daphne Kwok. Download PDFMore Articles...
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