When the ship finally entered the San Francisco Bay, all the passengers were separated. The few who were of a wealthier status were free to embark on land, while the rest of us were sent to Angel Island. There we were quarantined until deemed fit to enter. When we arrived on the island, we were again separated by race and then began our medical exams. Luckily for me, I passed my exam, but those who did not, were immediately deported back to the land they were trying to flee. The easy part was over and now I had to worry about the oral exam. It took about a week to receive my test and while waiting, I was stuck in what was called the barracks, but to me, it felt like a prison. It even included the stereotypical guards and a huge fence. The conditions inside were barely sanitary and my time spent waiting was focused on keeping myself healthy. After two weeks of living on the island, I was given my oral exam and just passed. Even though I knew I would face hardships in this new foreign country, my freedom that was suppressed while on Angel Island could never be taken away from me again.
Info from:
http://www.aiisf.org/history
http://www.foundsf.org/index.php?title=Detained_on_Angel_Island
Image from:
http://www.wright.edu/cgi-bin/cm/dialogue/dialogue.cgi?action=section_bymonth§ion=features&month=May&year=2006
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