Gim Lew Yep: Immigration at Angel Island

Analytical Description

The artifact is a black and white photograph of my great grandfather, Yep Gim Lew, aged 10. This photograph is significant to my family because although Gim’s father, my great great grandfather Yep Lung Gon, was born and worked in the United States, we consider my great grandfather to be the start of our family history in the United States. Although he died before I was born, I know that Gim played a major role in our family. He and his wife, my great grandmother, Franche owned a corner store in San Francisco for many years. While thinking about his lasting legacy today of five generations of Yeps, it is important to think about the start of his life and our family history as a reminder of his experiences and sacrifices to come to the United States.

This artifact connects to larger themes in history, specifically immigration to the United States, as Gim’s story is very similar to others who immigrated to the United States, especially those who were children. According to Laurence Yep and Kathleen S. Yep’s The Dragon’s Child: A Story of Angel Island, Gim was held at Angel Island for 13 days. His time spent at Angel Island is only just a sliver of what others had to endure. Many immigrants were detained for several weeks if not months waiting to be interviewed, accepted, or sent back to China. But Gim’s story does not solely connect to history with regards to immigration, but also with regards to family. He was accompanied to the United States with his father not because he wanted to, but because he had to. This is reflective of history in that many immigrants came to the United States out of familial obligation.

Although Gim was detained at Angel Island for 13 days, its harsh and unsanitary conditions in addition to grueling interviews still culminated in a difficult experience. It demonstrates the lack of empathy the government structure had for immigrants, even children. For example, it is my understanding that he was not given any leniency in his interrogation due to his age. Furthermore, his story illuminates the multiple reasons one might have to immigrate to the United States. For my great grandfather, and often many others, he immigrated to the United States out of family obligation.

Keywords: Immigration, Angel Island, Paper Families, Photography