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ImmigrationProf Blog
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Angel Island Station Reopening Feb. 15

By immigrationprof

The Angel Island immigration station that held prospective immigrants from China (including my parents) has been undergoing restoration and will reopen on February 15. The Island is located in the middle of San Francisco Bay. Some history of Angel Island can be found here. The announcement of the reopening:

Dear Friends,

Welcome to 2009! We not only have a new edition of Passages, AIISF’s e-newsletter, but also a new president, a new administration, new opportunities, and new challenges.  But before we go any further, I want to thank all of you who contributed to AIISF last month in our year-end drive. Through your generosity, we raised $35,000, putting us within striking distance of the $50,000 one to one matching grant challenge of the Haas Jr. Foundation.  We will certainly meet this goal by the time of the Grand Re-Opening of the Immigration Station on February 15, 2009.

For the first time in over three years, visitors will be able to absorb the unique history of the Immigration Station as they wander over the administrative grounds and tour the entire Detention Barracks.  Reading the poetry carved on the walls and hearing the voices of the diverse immigrants housed at one time in the barracks will surely be a transformative experience for many.  We truly have a great opportunity before us. Visitors will share their experience at Angel Island with friends, colleagues, and neighbors and the story of perseverance amid hardship that lies at the core of the immigrant experience will spread far and wide.

It is also a time of great challenges as foundations see their investment portfolios shrink by 30% leading to cutbacks in grants.  Individuals are similarly hit hard by the economic downturn raising the need for non-profits like AIISF to redouble efforts to win so many more new friends and supporters. In the end, we can’t do it alone.  We need you to reach out to others and encourage them to share the Angel Island story.  See you on February 15 for the Grand Re-Opening.

Let us celebrate the Lunar New Year with hopes of peace and prosperity. 

Gung Hay Fat Choy.

All the best,

Eddie Wong
Executive Director

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