Autry Center awards the survivors from Angel Island for the Maverick Prize

The Autry Center awarded the Maverick Prize this year to the Asian immigrants of Angel Island. Angel Island was the “Ellis Island” of the West and had over one million Asian immigrants trying to enter the US. Yet, the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882, had many immigrants waiting years to enter, some left alone without friends and family. It was extremely heartwarming to hear some stories of these men and women who spent years of their lives without family. Here are some pictures from Wednesday’s award ceremony.