Imagine being interrogated by someone you don't know about minute details of your life. Imagine that the interrogator is matching your responses to the answers of other family members. Imagine how you would feel knowing that the interrogator expected to be deported if your answers did not match those. That is the situation at the heart of a simulation that provides class members the opportunity to experience some of what immigrants went through during their interrogations at Angel Island Immigration Station.

Concepts

irish immigration, chinese immigration, asking questions, racism, the chinese exclusion act of 1882, chinese history, california history, empathy, critical thinking

Show More Show Less

Instructional Ideas

• As with any simulation, be sure to extend the debriefing period and encourage class members to reflect on the feelings generated by the activity
• Have groups investigate current immigration processes

Classroom Considerations

• Seventh of 14 lessons in the Angel Island Immigrant Station unit

Pros

• Includes a sample interrogation and activity handouts

Cons

• None

Common Core

SL.7.1.a SL.7.1.d SL.8.1.a SL.8.1.d SL.9-10.1.a SL.9-10.1.d SL.11-12.1.a SL.11-12.1.d