Due to harsh immigration laws, in American history, Chinese have often relied on illegal means of entering the United States. For example, in 1882, the Chinese Exclusion Act (Chinese Exclusion Act, Documents on Anti-Chinese Immigration Policy.) was passed, the first and only act that restricted immigration from one particular ethnicity. This act restricted immigration of Chinese labourers. In 1888, this act was extended to all Chinese immigrants except for officials, teachers, students, tourists, and merchants. However, not all-prospective immigrants made it to the shores of America safely. The United States is well aware of illegal immigration and rings operating these smuggling operations. Therefore increased vigilance at America's doors has led to the capture of many Chinese illegal immigrants. The result of above brief history of Chinese history in America is that these new comers at the time period of illegal entering of America would eventually result the wave of 3rd generation Chinese population along with Baby Boomers after World War II. The new generation was in the era of Civil Rights movement in the 1950~1970’s. The talented, new 3rd generation possessed

There are many Chinese who feel that one either have to adopt one culture or the other, which, in an inherent manner, carries disadvantage into the "white" society is considered "selling out," while completely adopting the Chinese culture could bid the student a trick. The different reaction of being Chinese American runs the complete extent or range from complete assimilation to compromise. There are many Chinese Americans who inflexibly and unfalteringly advocate complete assimilation. They feel that the two cultures are incompatible and mutually exclusive, and that growing up in a western exclusively counteracts a person's attempt to be Asian. Many people expressed this nostalgic feeling, because they speak English as their primary language, and they grew up in the United States.

However, good news are that not ALL the Chinese Americans are accused of being ungrateful of their own identities and the facts that they are who they are. One of the examples of the 3rd generation Chinese claimed that he had regretted his early idea of excluding himself to his own ethic identity of being Chinese as a youngster is Eddie Tang:

“… It was through soul-searching that Chan realised not only that she was a unique product of both cultures, but also that her values differed from those of her parents.

Some common words found in the essay are:
Angel Island, Chinese Americans, American Dreams, Chinese Chinese, Immigration Policy, Chinese American, China Taiwan, Los Angeles, Americans Asian, Chinese/Asian Americans, chinese american, chinese americans, chinese immigrants, angel island, chinese culture, generation chinese, 3rd generation, san francisco, sons daughters, united chinese americans, eddie tang, act restricted immigration, 3rd generation chinese, balancing act adds, documents anti-chinese immigration,
Approximate Word count = 2221
Approximate Pages = 9 (250 words per page double spaced)