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

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

3. 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

4. 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.

5. 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

6. 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?