Ellis Island Why do you think steerage passengers were required to go through immigration at Ellis Island?

I. Ellis Island Opened in 1892 By U.S. government In New York Harbor Open for 62 years 112 million immigrants passed through

II. Inspections Immigrants had to pass inspection before being allowed to enter the United States 1st and 2nd class passengers were inspected aboard the ship. Health Review papers Steerage Inspection process took up to 5 hours Waited nervously and fearful they would be sent back home. Doctors would scan each passenger for signs of serious disease and disability Mental Physical Immigrants who did not pass were sent back Some penniless Without families

III. Peak years As many as 20% of immigrants were held for weeks or longer Sick passengers stayed at hospital until they recovered. Thos whose papers did not pass review were held for a hearing. About 5 out of every 6 passengers who were detained were eventually cleared to enter.

IV. Post-inspection Immigrants were free to enter the U.S. Some headed off on their own Others met family members already in the U.S. One Russian immigrant’s memory of meeting her father for the first time, in 1910. “I saw a man coming forward and he was so beautiful I didn’t know he was my father… Later on I realized why he looked so familiar to me. He looked exactly like I did… But that’s when I met him for the first time. And I fell in love with him and he with me.” Katherine Beychok, Ellis Island History

Review Questions Who were the new immigrants? Why did the United States seem to offer immigrants a promising future? Of all the differences between new and old immigrants which ones do you think would pose the most tensions between the two groups? Explain your reasoning. Where is Ellis Island located? Record the steps taken by most immigrants in their journey to the United States. Begin with the decision to leave their homeland and end with their approval to enter the United States. Why did so many immigrants travel in steerage? What did immigration authorities want to know about each immigrant? Why do you think steerage passengers were required to go through immigration at Ellis Island?