Follow the instructor’s journey as she recounts the route of her ancestors from Guangdong Province, China to Arizona at the turn of the last century. Using clues from family papers and materials in the vast archives of the U.S. government—which include census, military and judicial records—she uncovered a provocative tale. The course will first examine immigration law, the Page Act of 1875 through the Immigration Act of 1917. We will review the arrest and trial of an ancestor named Wong Fook and consider the detainment of Wong Choy at Angel Island. These two were the first generation of the instructor’s family to venture to the United States for a better life for themselves and the families they left behind. Their experiences remain relevant today as immigration policy remains a polarizing national issue.
Instructor: Suey Wong is a retired attorney and has used her legal background to explore her immigration roots. She has published two articles for the Journal of Arizona History.