On Sept. 12, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) welcomed 19 new U.S. citizens at the historic Angel Island Immigration Station in San Francisco Bay. Angel Island is often referred to as the "Ellis Island of the West." It was used as an immigrant processing station from 1910-1940, primarily for immigrants from Asia, including more than 175,000 Chinese immigrants.
Some immigrants literally carved their feelings into the walls while waiting for their interviews -- writing poetry into the wooden walls of the barracks. The Angel Island Immigration Station Foundation was created to continue preservation and educational efforts at the site.
USCIS Chief of Staff Juliet K. Choi administered the Oath of Allegiance to the citizenship candidates.
In her remarks, she noted Angel Island’s place in American history:
