APRIL 16, 2020 — The history of anti-Chinese and anti-Asian xenophobia in the United States dates back over 100 years and is evidenced by the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882 as well as the interrogation and detention of Asian immigrants at the U.S. Immigration Station at Angel Island from 1910 to 1940. When faced with economic, terrorist, or public health challenges, the nation has often seen an unfortunate uptick in xenophobia and hate crimes.

In the early 20th century, poor Italian immigrants were targeted by the KKK. The rise of the Japanese auto industry and its threat to the US led to the 1982 Detroit murder of Vincent Chin by an unemployed auto worker who mistook Chin as Japanese. More recently, after 9/11, the number of hate crimes against South Asian, Middle-Eastern, and Muslim Americans increased dramatically. During the SARS and H1N1 pandemics, many Asian Americans experienced verbal or physical harassment that have become more heightened in recent weeks as the COVID-19 continues to impact thousands of people in the US.

The recent pandemic has resurfaced stronger anti-Asian xenophobia, particularly directed at Chinese communities. San Francisco’s Chinese for Affirmative Action has noted over 1,100 reports within just the initial two weeks since their STOP AAPI HATE Reporting Center was launched.

“This rise in reported hate crimes as well as the rise in numbers of individuals impacted by COVID-19 are disheartening to witness. Yet, we’ve also appreciated how leaders and celebrities from other communities, particularly those in African American, Latino, Native American communities, have spoken out against violence against Asian Americans even as their own communities are differentially impacted by COVID-19 due to long histories of racism, injustices, and systemic biases,” said AIISF Executive Director Edward Tepporn.

“The current wave of anti-Asian xenophobia is just the latest version of an old story etched on the walls of the Angel Island Immigration Station,” said AIISF board president Buck Gee. “With the wisdom of hindsight, it is plain to see that xenophobic leaders from that time were wrongheaded demagogues and that the country should learn from those mistakes in our past.”

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Angel Island Immigration Station Foundation (AIISF) raises awareness of the experience of Immigration into America through the Pacific. AIISF collects and preserves the rich stories and personal journeys of thousands of immigrants, and shares them with visitors and everyone living in America through education initiatives and public programs. Angel Island Immigration Station reminds us of the complicated history of immigration in America. It serves as a symbol of our willingness to learn from our past to ensure that our nation keeps its promise of liberty and freedom.

Media inquiries can be made to the Angel Island Immigration Station Foundation’s main office at (415) 658-7691 or info@aiisf.org.