Eliseo Felipe, a 100 year-old retired serviceman, shares his journey to the United States and his pride in becoming an American. At the age of seven, Eliseo learned to work on the fields to support his family in the Philippines. He immigrated to the United States in 1933 where he met his brother and uncles who worked on the farms in Salinas, California. The 1934 Tidings-McDuffie Act changed Eliseo’s citizenship status from “national” to “alien,” which caused him to be detained at Angel Island. He talks about his experience on the island and how he re-entered America. Over the years Eliseo held many jobs across California, working as a farmer, bellman, and eventually a serviceman for the United States Army. Currently, Eliseo is retired and tends to his garden at his house in Salinas, CA. He recently celebrated his 100th Birthday with his wife, four children, and grandchildren.

Also see Angel Island Profile: Tyrus Wong

Angel Island Profile: Eliseo Felipe