i think my father and my mother were very, very proud. one memory that comes to me is when they got their citizenship and they cried because they said, we love america. >> the restaurant gave my family a foothold here, a place to land and launch. today that pattern continues. across america in nearly every small town is a chinese restaurant. and many are gateways to citizenship for china's poorest immigrants. more than 50 years after my own grandfather began his journey here in america, vincent chou is following in his footsteps. >> when i was in china, i want to learn new things. i want to see the world. america to me is opportunity.