Immigration: Liberty's promise fulfilled?
Weighing the Evidence
All documents and text associated with this activity are printed below, followed by a worksheet for student responses.Introduction
Emma Lazarus' famous poem, "Colossus", which is at the base of the Statue of Liberty states, "Give me your tired, your poor,/Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,/The wretched refuse of your teeming shore./Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me,/I lift my lamp beside the golden door!" Does America keep its promise of open arms to immigrants? Study each primary source document. Then, drag each document to the side of the scale it supports -- Is America open to immigrants or not?Name:
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Worksheet
Immigration: Liberty's promise fulfilled?
Weighing the Evidence
Examine the documents and text included in this activity. Consider how each document does or does not support two opposing interpretations or conclusions. Fill in the topic or interpretations if they are not provided. To show how the documents support the different interpretations, enter the corresponding document number into the boxes near the interpretation. Write your conclusion response in the space provided. Interpretation 1
America welcomes the immigrants and fulfills its promise of openness.
America welcomes the immigrants and fulfills its promise of openness.
Is America the land for immigrants?
Interpretation 2
Huddled masses yearning to breathe free are not welcome in America.
Huddled masses yearning to breathe free are not welcome in America.
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Conclusion
Immigration: Liberty's promise fulfilled?
Weighing the Evidence
Using the primary sources you just evaluated, write your conclusion in a one page document. You may rephrase the "side" of the scale that you think had more evidence to support. Submit your conclusion to the "immigration" drop box on SchoolSpace.Your Response
Document
Certificate of Residence for Chin Num
3/9/1894
Additional details from our exhibits and publications
This certificate of residence for Chin Num is part of his son’s, Chin You Wong’s Arrival Investigation Case File. It was required under the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882.
This primary source comes from the Records of the Immigration and Naturalization Service.
National Archives Identifier: 595321
Full Citation: Certificate of Residence for Chin Num; 3/9/1894; Records of the Immigration and Naturalization Service, . [Online Version, https://docsteach.org/documents/document/certificate-residence-chin-num, May 3, 2024]Certificate of Residence for Chin Num
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Document
Transcript of the statement of Chu Hoy
9/17/1904
This document is filed with the Chinese Exclusion Act case file involving Chu Hoy and Family.
This primary source comes from the Records of the Immigration and Naturalization Service.
National Archives Identifier: 278609
Full Citation: Transcript of the statement of Chu Hoy; 9/17/1904; Records of the Immigration and Naturalization Service, . [Online Version, https://docsteach.org/documents/document/transcript-of-the-statement-of-chu-hoy, May 3, 2024]Transcript of the statement of Chu Hoy
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Transcript of the statement of Chu Hoy
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Document
Interrogation of Chu Kew Yok applying for admission at Malone, New York
11/16/1906
This document is filed with the Chinese Exclusion Act case file involving Chu Hoy and Family.
This primary source comes from the Records of the Immigration and Naturalization Service.
National Archives Identifier: 278602
Full Citation: Interrogation of Chu Kew Yok applying for admission at Malone, New York; 11/16/1906; Records of the Immigration and Naturalization Service, . [Online Version, https://docsteach.org/documents/document/interrogation-of-chu-kew-yok-applying-for-admission-at-malone-new-york, May 3, 2024]Interrogation of Chu Kew Yok applying for admission at Malone, New York
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Interrogation of Chu Kew Yok applying for admission at Malone, New York
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Interrogation of Chu Kew Yok applying for admission at Malone, New York
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Interrogation of Chu Kew Yok applying for admission at Malone, New York
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Document
Buggy used for smuggling Chinese aliens across Mexican border
ca. 1921
This document is from the case US v Rivera and Sanchez. Buggy shows position of hay on buggy at time of apprehension.
This primary source comes from the Records of District Courts of the United States.
National Archives Identifier: 294978
Full Citation: Buggy used for smuggling Chinese aliens across Mexican border; ca. 1921; Records of District Courts of the United States, . [Online Version, https://docsteach.org/documents/document/buggy-used-for-smuggling-chinese-aliens-across-mexican-border, May 3, 2024]Buggy used for smuggling Chinese aliens across Mexican border
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Document
List or Manifest of Alien Passengers for the United States Immigration Officer at Port of Arrival, R.M.S. CARPATHIA
6/18/1912
This primary source comes from the Records of the Immigration and Naturalization Service.
National Archives Identifier: 300348
Full Citation: List or Manifest of Alien Passengers for the United States Immigration Officer at Port of Arrival, R.M.S. CARPATHIA; 6/18/1912; Records of the Immigration and Naturalization Service, . [Online Version, https://docsteach.org/documents/document/list-or-manifest-of-alien-passengers-for-the-united-states-immigration-officer-at-port-of-arrival-rms-carpathia, May 3, 2024]List or Manifest of Alien Passengers for the United States Immigration Officer at Port of Arrival, R.M.S. CARPATHIA
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List or Manifest of Alien Passengers for the United States Immigration Officer at Port of Arrival, R.M.S. CARPATHIA
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List or Manifest of Alien Passengers for the United States Immigration Officer at Port of Arrival, R.M.S. CARPATHIA
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Document
Photograph of Immigrants Walking With Luggage on Ellis Island
Additional details from our exhibits and publications
This unidentified group of immigrants passed through Ellis Island at the Port of New York carrying their possessions on their backs. Ellis Island was the major processing center for immigrants who came to the U.S. from 1892 until1924. An estimated 20 million individuals began their new lives in America on Ellis Island.
This primary source comes from the Records of the Public Health Service.
National Archives Identifier: 595659
Full Citation: Photograph of Immigrants Walking With Luggage on Ellis Island; Records of the Public Health Service, . [Online Version, https://docsteach.org/documents/document/photograph-of-immigrants-walking-with-luggage-on-ellis-island, May 3, 2024]Photograph of Immigrants Walking With Luggage on Ellis Island
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Document
Bill of Complaint
1/7/1921
Following his naturalization in 1920, the Immigration and Naturalization Service reexamined the petition of Bhagat Singh Thind and ruled that as he did not qualify for naturalization his earlier naturalization should be revoked.
Additional details from our exhibits and publications
Settling in Oregon, Bhagat Singh Thind served during World War I and was naturalized at least twice. However in 1921, the District Court of Oregon filed a bill of complaint denying citizenship to Thind. The case went to the Supreme Court and in its 1923 decision, the court ended up defining Asian Indians as non-white and ineligible for naturalization.
This primary source comes from the Records of District Courts of the United States.
National Archives Identifier: 2641495
Full Citation: Bill of Complaint; 1/7/1921; Records of District Courts of the United States, . [Online Version, https://docsteach.org/documents/document/bill-of-complaint, May 3, 2024]Bill of Complaint
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Document
Photograph of the U.S. Immigrant Building at Ellis Island
1/11/1900
Additional details from our exhibits and publications
Taken on January 11, 1900, this photograph shows construction of the main immigrant reception building at Ellis Island, New York.
This primary source comes from the Records of the National Park Service.
National Archives Identifier: 597954
Full Citation: Photograph of the U.S. Immigrant Building at Ellis Island; 1/11/1900; Records of the National Park Service, . [Online Version, https://docsteach.org/documents/document/photograph-of-the-us-immigrant-building-at-ellis-island, May 3, 2024]Photograph of the U.S. Immigrant Building at Ellis Island
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Document
Transcript of the statement of witness James V. Storey
9/23/1904
This document is filed with the Chinese Exclusion Act case file involving Chu Hoy and Family.
This primary source comes from the Records of the Immigration and Naturalization Service.
National Archives Identifier: 278607
Full Citation: Transcript of the statement of witness James V. Storey; 9/23/1904; Records of the Immigration and Naturalization Service, . [Online Version, https://docsteach.org/documents/document/transcript-of-the-statement-of-witness-james-v-storey, May 3, 2024]Transcript of the statement of witness James V. Storey
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Transcript of the statement of witness James V. Storey
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Document
Flyers Distributed by Silver Bow Trades and Labor Assembly and Butte Miners' Union in Support of Chinese and Japanese Boycott
ca. 8/1898
Like many places in the American West, Montana was the site of anti-Asian discrimination at the end of the 19th century. In late 1896, several labor unions in Butte boycotted both Chinese and Japanese owned businesses and businesses employing Asian workers, blaming these laborers and businesses for poor economic conditions.
Labor unions used flyers to notify their members and the public of this boycott. Many Chinese were forced to seek work in other cities. However, several merchants fought back and filed suit in Federal court in Butte requesting an injunction to stop the boycott as well as damages from the labor unions.
In the case Hum Lay, et al.. v. Baldwin, also known as the Chinese Boycott case, the court ruled in favor of the Chinese plaintiffs, a ruling that ran counter to the dominant public opinion of the time.
Labor unions used flyers to notify their members and the public of this boycott. Many Chinese were forced to seek work in other cities. However, several merchants fought back and filed suit in Federal court in Butte requesting an injunction to stop the boycott as well as damages from the labor unions.
In the case Hum Lay, et al.. v. Baldwin, also known as the Chinese Boycott case, the court ruled in favor of the Chinese plaintiffs, a ruling that ran counter to the dominant public opinion of the time.
This primary source comes from the Records of District Courts of the United States.
National Archives Identifier: 298113
Full Citation: Flyers Distributed by Silver Bow Trades and Labor Assembly and Butte Miners' Union in Support of Chinese and Japanese Boycott; ca. 8/1898; Records of District Courts of the United States, . [Online Version, https://docsteach.org/documents/document/flyers-distributed-by-silver-bow-trades-and-labor-assembly-and-butte-miners-union-in-support-of-chinese-and-japanese-boycott, May 3, 2024]Flyers Distributed by Silver Bow Trades and Labor Assembly and Butte Miners' Union in Support of Chinese and Japanese Boycott
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Flyers Distributed by Silver Bow Trades and Labor Assembly and Butte Miners' Union in Support of Chinese and Japanese Boycott
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Flyers Distributed by Silver Bow Trades and Labor Assembly and Butte Miners' Union in Support of Chinese and Japanese Boycott
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Document
Immigrants Buying Railroad Tickets on Ellis Island
After processing at the Ellis Island Immigration Station, immigrants were able to buy railroad (eisenbahn) tickets to destinations throughout the United States.
This primary source comes from the Records of the Public Health Service.
National Archives Identifier: 595656
Full Citation: Photograph 90-G-125-23; Immigrants Buying Railroad Tickets on Ellis Island; Public Health Service Historical Photograph File, 1880 - 1943; Records of the Public Health Service, ; National Archives at College Park, College Park, MD. [Online Version, https://docsteach.org/documents/document/railroad-tickets-ellis-island, May 3, 2024]Immigrants Buying Railroad Tickets on Ellis Island
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Document
Restoring Normal Immigration Procedures for Cuban Nationals
1/26/1988
This primary source comes from the Collection RR-NSC: Numbered National Security Policy Papers.
National Archives Identifier: 198391
Full Citation: Restoring Normal Immigration Procedures for Cuban Nationals; 1/26/1988; Collection RR-NSC: Numbered National Security Policy Papers, . [Online Version, https://docsteach.org/documents/document/restoring-normal-immigration-procedures-for-cuban-nationals, May 3, 2024]Restoring Normal Immigration Procedures for Cuban Nationals
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Document
'Remember Your First Thrill of American Liberty. Your Duty- Buy United States Government Bonds. 2nd Liberty Loan of 1917.'
1917
The United States Food Administration’s Education Division created this poster during the First World War to encourage newly arrived immigrants to support the Federal government by purchasing Liberty Bonds to fund the war. The second Liberty Loan of 1917 offered $3 billion in bonds with a return of four percent.
The poster reads: "Remember Your First Thrill of American Liberty. Your Duty- Buy United States Government Bonds. 2nd Liberty Loan of 1917."
The poster reads: "Remember Your First Thrill of American Liberty. Your Duty- Buy United States Government Bonds. 2nd Liberty Loan of 1917."
This primary source comes from the Records of the U.S. Food Administration.
National Archives Identifier: 512676
Full Citation: Poster 4-P-238; 'Remember Your First Thrill of American Liberty. Your Duty- Buy United States Government Bonds. 2nd Liberty Loan of 1917.'; 1917; World War I Posters, 1917 - 1919; Records of the U.S. Food Administration, ; National Archives at College Park, College Park, MD. [Online Version, https://docsteach.org/documents/document/first-thrill-liberty, May 3, 2024]'Remember Your First Thrill of American Liberty. Your Duty- Buy United States Government Bonds. 2nd Liberty Loan of 1917.'
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Document
Telegram from MacCormack to District Director, INS, Angel Island, California
5/22/1934
This document relates to the 1934 San Francisco maritime and general strike, providing information about the history of maritime workers on the Pacific coast, unionism, and Communism/radicalism in the labor movement of the 1930's. Labor leader Harry Bridges began his rise to fame during this strike and became a subject of investigation by the Immigration and Naturalization Service for his alleged affiliation with the Communist Party. Bridges had immigrated from Australia, and the INS unsuccessfully attempted to deport him in two INS administration hearings and two U.S. District Court trials.
This primary source comes from the Records of the Immigration and Naturalization Service.
National Archives Identifier: 296492
Full Citation: Telegram from MacCormack to District Director, INS, Angel Island, California; 5/22/1934; Records of the Immigration and Naturalization Service, . [Online Version, https://docsteach.org/documents/document/telegram-from-maccormack-to-district-director-ins-angel-island-california, May 3, 2024]Telegram from MacCormack to District Director, INS, Angel Island, California
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Document
Chinese Day in the Fourth Liberty Loan Campaign was appropriately celebrated. One of the features of the Chinese Parade is shown. China, Liberty, and Uncle Sam united. Underwood and Underwood
10/1/1918
The original description for this photograph reads; Chinese Day in the Fourth Liberty Loan Campaign was appropriately celebrated. One of the features of the Chinese Parade is shown. China, Liberty, and Uncle Sam united. Underwood and Underwood.
This primary source comes from the Records of the War Department General and Special Staffs.
National Archives Identifier: 533667
Full Citation: Photograph 165-WW-235D(3); Chinese Day in the Fourth Liberty Loan Campaign was appropriately celebrated. One of the features of the Chinese Parade is shown. China, Liberty, and Uncle Sam united. Underwood and Underwood; 10/1/1918; American Unofficial Collection of World War I Photographs, 1917 - 1918; Records of the War Department General and Special Staffs, ; National Archives at College Park, College Park, MD. [Online Version, https://docsteach.org/documents/document/chinese-day-loan, May 3, 2024]Chinese Day in the Fourth Liberty Loan Campaign was appropriately celebrated. One of the features of the Chinese Parade is shown. China, Liberty, and Uncle Sam united. Underwood and Underwood
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Document
Declaration of Intention for Albert Einstein
1/15/1936
In 1936, German-born physicist Albert Einstein filed this Declaration of Intention to become an American citizen. Worried about growing Nazi aggression, Einstein immigrated to the United States and accepted a faculty position at Princeton University. In 1940, the man who had first proposed the theory of relativity in 1905 became a citizen of the United States.
This primary source comes from the Records of District Courts of the United States.
National Archives Identifier: 596270
Full Citation: Declaration of Intention for Albert Einstein; 1/15/1936; Petitions for Naturalization, 1838 - 1988; Records of District Courts of the United States, ; National Archives at New York, New York, NY. [Online Version, https://docsteach.org/documents/document/declaration-intention-einstein, May 3, 2024]Declaration of Intention for Albert Einstein
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Document
Declaration of Intention for Chin Wing Sew
12/4/1945
This is the Declaration of Intention for citizenship for Chin Wing Sew, also known as Ping Chin.
Additional details from our exhibits and publications
Chin Wing Sew, also known as Ping Chin, lawfully entered the United States through San Francisco on April 16, 1924. He was 32 years old, married, and working as a cook in Lincoln County, Nebraska, when he filed this declaration of intention for citizenship on December 4, 1945.
This primary source comes from the Records of District Courts of the United States.
National Archives Identifier: 595881
Full Citation: Declaration of Intention for Chin Wing Sew; 12/4/1945; Records of District Courts of the United States, . [Online Version, https://docsteach.org/documents/document/declaration-of-intention-for-chin-wing-sew, May 3, 2024]Declaration of Intention for Chin Wing Sew
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Document
Letter from the Buffalo, New York, Chinese Inspector to the New York City Inspector in Charge Clarifying the Definition of a District and Discussing 'Kid' West, Who Smuggled Chinese into the U.S.
11/17/1903
This document is filed with a Chinese Exclusion Act smuggling case file involving twelve Chinese men.
This primary source comes from the Records of the Immigration and Naturalization Service.
National Archives Identifier: 278719
Full Citation: Letter from the Buffalo, New York, Chinese Inspector to the New York City Inspector in Charge Clarifying the Definition of a District and Discussing 'Kid' West, Who Smuggled Chinese into the U.S.; 11/17/1903; Records of the Immigration and Naturalization Service, . [Online Version, https://docsteach.org/documents/document/letter-from-the-buffalo-new-york-chinese-inspector-to-the-new-york-city-inspector-in-charge-clarifying-the-definition-of-a-district-and-discussing-kid-west-who-smuggled-chinese-into-the-us, May 3, 2024]Letter from the Buffalo, New York, Chinese Inspector to the New York City Inspector in Charge Clarifying the Definition of a District and Discussing 'Kid' West, Who Smuggled Chinese into the U.S.
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Letter from the Buffalo, New York, Chinese Inspector to the New York City Inspector in Charge Clarifying the Definition of a District and Discussing 'Kid' West, Who Smuggled Chinese into the U.S.
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Letter from the Buffalo, New York, Chinese Inspector to the New York City Inspector in Charge Clarifying the Definition of a District and Discussing 'Kid' West, Who Smuggled Chinese into the U.S.
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