Rizal visited the United States in 1888 after arriving by steamer in San Francisco. He was impressed by the grand buildings and technology but noted defects in American society, including racial prejudice and inequality. Rizal traveled across the country by train, seeing places like Chicago, Nebraska, and New York. While he admired America's progress and opportunities, he was critical of the lack of true liberty and civil rights, especially for blacks, Chinese, Japanese, and Native Americans. Rizal saw America as a land of freedom but only for white people.