My father, Yoen Quock, was born in Taishan, Guangdong, China in 1916.  Because of poor economic conditions and clouds of World War II forming near and in China in the 1930’s, he made the bold decision to emigrate to the United States to seek a better life for him and his new wife (my mother May).  Because of a strict immigration law (1882 Chinese Exclusion Act), he could not bring his wife.  In December, 1937, he embarked on a three week steamship journey from Hong Kong to Seattle, Washington.  His first glimpse of and first “home” in America was the United States Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) Building in Seattle.  The Chinese Exclusion Act mandated that all immigrants from China be detained, investigated, and approved for entry.  After multiple interviews with immigration officials over two months, he was admitted to the United States in March, 1938.  He settled in Texas.  In a twist of fate, he enlisted in the US Army during World War II and honorably served his new country.  After the war ended, he returned to China and brought his wife (my mother) to America and started a family.  My siblings and I are forever grateful for the courage and sacrifices that our parents made to come to America.

– Billy Quock

Relationship:  Child of im/migrant Child of im/migrant