"The Geary Act, passed in 1892, required Chinese laborers in the U.S. to carry photo passports. Until it was repealed in 1943, authorities could stop them at any time to ask to see their identification, and people without documentation could be detained, jailed, or even deported. The Chinese really felt segregated, said Yu. We're seeing parallels between history and what's happening now with ICE and the threat to birthright citizenship."
"Built in 1991 on Phelan Avenue in History Park, the Chinese American History Museum is a replica of the Ng Shing Gung, which once served as a hostel, community center, and Chinese school in San Jose's historic Heinlenville Chinatown. Photographed in San Jose, Calif. on Saturday, Sept. 20, 2025. (Sophie Luo/Mosaic) A first-floor display in the museum features photos, memorabilia, and calligraphy books from the Heinlenville Chinese School in the Chinese American History Museum in History Park in San Jose, Calif. on Saturday, Sept. 20, 2025. (Sophie Luo/Mosaic)"
"Visitors rest on a bench on the first floor of the museum, surrounded by exhibits featuring Chinatown artifacts in the Chinese American History Museum in History Park in San Jose, Calif. on Saturday, Sept. 20, 2025. (Sophie Luo/Mosaic) An exhibit on the second floor of the museum highlights San Jose's Sing Kee, the first Chinese American soldier to receive a U.S. military decoration for his service during World War I in the Chinese American History Museum in History Park in San Jo"
Anti-Asian sentiment and anti-immigrant policies led to violence and legal exclusion in San Jose, including arson that destroyed Market Street Chinatown. The Geary Act of 1892 forced Chinese laborers to carry photo passports until its repeal in 1943, allowing authorities to stop, detain, jail, or deport those without identification. Contemporary immigration enforcement and challenges to birthright citizenship reflect parallels to that history. The Chinese American History Museum in History Park, built in 1991 as a replica of Ng Shing Gung, houses Heinlenville school photos, memorabilia, calligraphy books, and exhibits on Chinese American military service.
Read at www.mercurynews.com
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