Angel Island State Park

Explore - Angel Island State Park's Immigration Station

The walls of the detention barracks at the U.S. Immigration Station, Angel Island are filled with poetry, written and carved by immigrants expressing their feelings of frustration, anger, and hope.

Historically called the “Guardian of the Western Gate” by staff, the U.S. Immigration Station, second in size only to Ellis Island in New York, was built to enforce immigration laws like the Chinese Exclusion Act. People from over 80 countries, were detained on Angel Island between 1910-1940 and the largest groups were immigrants from China, Japan, Russia, and India.

Explore our program offerings and teacher resources below to discover how to connect with Angel Island State Park.

Teacher Resources

Discover the impact of the Chinese Exclusion Act.

Listen to artist and former Angel Island detainee Tyrus Wong’s Story!

Comb through the growing archive of personal stories of immigrants to the Pacific Coast.

Discover curriculum for elementary, middle, and high school to explore the history and culture of Angel Island.

Learn more with Angel Island
Flip Topics!

Travel through time
with our 360 Tour of the
U.S. Immigration Station!

Learn about the Untold Story of Chinese restaurants in America.

Previous Broadcasts

Learn more about Angel Island's Supporters!

Angel Island Immigration Station Foundation (AIISF) raises awareness of the experience of Immigration into America through the Pacific.

Angel Island Conservancy (AIC) is a nonprofit organization that works in partnership with Angel Island State Park and California State Parks to facilitate the preservation, restoration, and interpretation of historical and natural resources on Angel Island.