AIISF Newsletter / February 2025
A Message From AIISF’s Executive Director
What a series of whirlwinds this past month has been. Our hearts go out to all the individuals, families, and businesses impacted by the LA fires, the DC plane crash, the uptick in ICE raids, and so many other events across the country and the world. At a time of year when our communities should be celebrating the start of the new calendar year and the Lunar New Year, we know there are many families and communities who are grieving and hurting.
Last month, long-time volunteer docent Joe Chan unfortunately passed away. Joe (and his wife Eliz) were recognized in 2019 as our inaugural Spirit of Angel Island Award recipients for their 20-plus years of service as volunteer docents. Every Saturday and Sunday, the pair’s friendly faces could be seen guiding tours and answering questions out at the site. Joe’s kind-hearted presence and willing-to-do-anything attitude will be deeply missed. All of us at AIISF and Angel Island State Park send our deepest condolences to the Chan family.
Over the past weeks, we have all witnessed the current Administration’s rapid outlay of policies and executive orders spanning a range of issues including birthright citizenship, federal funding, trans equality, K-12 education, and diversity initiatives (including disbanding the White House Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Commission which has been in place for over 25 years across Republican-led and Democrat-led administrations).
AIISF (although we are a museum and not a legal or service organization) has already received calls from concerned community members, including an individual whose friend had been detained in an ICE raid. Please refer to the resources developed by other community organizations at the bottom of this page should you ever find yourself in similar situations.
Please know that we remain staunchly committed to preserving the historic site; lifting up the histories of those who were processed or detained there; drawing connections between historic and current-day immigration; and inspiring a future rooted in respect, empathy, and belonging. Your continued partnership is critical to our ability to do so.
Wishing you all rest and resilience for the times ahead.
Edward Tepporn
Executive Director
Pathways to Immigration Special Campaign
Through our Pathways to Immigration Special Campaign, you can commemorate your own immigration journey, honor your family’s immigrant heritage, or show your allyship with immigrant communities.
Whether you or your family came through Angel Island or elsewhere and whether you arrived in the US decades ago or days ago, we welcome your name and your support.
Angel Island Immigration Station Poetry Finder | NEW in February! Room 205
The AIIS Poetry Finder allows you to explore, read, listen to, and reflect on the experiences of Angel Island’s immigrants from inside the barracks and at home.
AIISF would like to acknowledge the hard work of co-creators and State Park volunteers Sam Louie and Samuel Lee; Angel Island State Park staff; translators Him Mark Lai, Genny Lim, Judy Yung, and Charles Egan; the project's Chinese dialect readers; and our supporters, who made the AIIS Poetry Finder possible.
Now Available on the AIIS Poetry Finder
Upcoming releases
Mar. 2025: Rooms 206 & 207
Apr. 2025: Rooms 211 & 213
Save the Date!
AIISF Immigrant Heritage Award Reception
Saturday, April 26 | 5 pm - 7 pm
China Live Restaurant, San Francisco, CA
Please mark your calendars for our Immigrant Heritage Awards reception.
Each year these awards provide an opportunity to celebrate individuals who are immigrants or of immigrant heritage and who have made significant contributions to our community. We also will be presenting the Spirit of Angel Island Award, which recognizes those whose efforts have been instrumental to preserving the site and uplifting its history.
Community and Partner Events
San Francisco Summer Resource Fair
February 22 | 11 am - 2 pm
San Francisco County Fair Building
Click here to learn more
Come see all the amazing things you and your child can do this summer! We’ll be tabling at the Summer Resource Fair and showing off some of the fun activities we’ll host throughout the year.
This event is free and open to the public. No need to sign up!
Building Access to Document-Based Questions for Multilingual Learners
February 27 | 6 pm - 7:30 pm ET
Online | Click here to register
Join a free session on making Document-Based Questions more accessible to multilingual learners.
This webinar is created by a team of history teachers and EL specialists from Massachusetts through a Library of Congress grant.
Taken From Their Families on view at JAMO
January 18 - April 6
Japanese American Museum of Oregon
Click here to learn more
Taken From Their Families: Japanese American Incarceration on Angel Island During World War II is now at JAMO!
The exhibit and connected programs explore the lesser-known history of Angel Island and its role in the incarceration of Japanese Americans during World War II. Come learn the stories of 24 individuals who passed through the former immigration center.
America's Field Trip Student Essay Contest
Deadline: April 16
Click here to learn more
Angel Island Immigration Station is one of the 11 landmarks included in the 2024-2025 America’s Field Trip contest. The contest is part of America250, a nationwide initiative to mark the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.
25 first-place awardees from each grade level category and a chaperone will receive airfare and lodging for a 3-day, 2-night trip to a select historical or cultural site of their choice!
Japanese Genealogy Course
July 27 - August 1
Online | Click here to learn more
The Institute of Genealogy and Historical Research (IGHR) is announcing the first genealogical institute course focused on family history for Japanese Americans, Japanese Genealogy: From Japan to the Americas. Coordinated by Linda Harms Okazaki, the course will cover records, laws, historical events, cultural nuances, language and calendar differences, and social issues.
Registration begins on March 1 at 9 am ET. Tuition is $545.00.
Community Resources
Immigrant Legal Resource Center (ILRC)
The ILRC is a national nonprofit resource center that provides legal trainings, educational materials, and advocacy to advance immigrant rights.
Immigrant Defense Project (IDP)
Through advocacy, litigation, legal advice and training, community defense, grassroots alliances, and strategic communications, IDP fights for fairness and justice for all immigrants.
San Francisco Immigrant Support
San Francisco Immigrant Support is a service to help immigrants understand their options and find the right community legal services.