Ellis Island Notebook Assignment #23

Ellis Island Immigrants crossing the Atlantic Ocean greeted by the Statue of Liberty Before starting their new life in the U.S. examination and inspection Stressful trip through Ellis Island

Ellis Island

Waiting and Long Lines When ships arrived, immigrants were inspected 1st and 2nd class passengers THEY THOUGHT: Passengers who could afford a 1st or 2nd class ticket were less likely to become a burden to the public. Sent to Ellis Island if they failed the health or legal inspection.

Lower-class passengers were transported from the pier to Ellis Island on barges or ferries very crowded conditions wait for hours to enter lacking food, water, toilets or protection from the elements.

Health Inspection Registry room - doctors would scan each immigrant for obvious physical or mental health issues. Used chalk to write letters on an immigrant's clothes to indicate possible health problems. AKA "six-second physicals."

Codes B Back E Eyes F Face Ft Feet G Goiter H Heart K Hernia N Neck P Physical & Lungs Pg Pregnancy LCD Loathsome Contagious Disease X Insanity

Inspections

Questions Immigration Service collected manifests(lists) from ships. The manifests(lists) contained passenger names and other information. An inspector and interpreter asked each passenger questions about potential destinations and job prospects.

Inspection Card

Detention and Hearings Failing inspections - placed in detention until hearing in front of the Board of Special Inquiry (inspectors) 10% of immigrants had hearings Evidence: immigrant's medical health, economic conditions and beliefs

Exclusion was reversed if: post bond for an immigrant aid society took responsibility for the immigrant 2% of immigrants were deported considered a "likely public charge" on medical or economic grounds.

Paying the Way Until 1909, immigrants entering the U.S. had to pay a head tax of 50 cents per person. funded the Office of Immigration. Hosted food vendors, immigrant aid societies and railroad ticket offices. Detained immigrants were preyed on by corrupt food contractors, money changers and sometimes even federal employees

#24 Statue of Liberty Reflection Not like the brazen giant of Greek fame With conquering limbs astride from land to land; Here at our sea-washed, sunset gates shall stand A mighty woman with a torch, whose flame Is the imprisoned lightning, and her name Mother of Exiles. From her beacon-hand Glows world-wide welcome; her mild eyes command The air-bridged harbor that twin cities frame, "Keep, ancient lands, your storied pomp!" cries she With silent lips. "Give me your tired, your poor, Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free, The wretched refuse of your teeming shore, Send these, the homeless, tempest-tossed to me, I lift my lamp beside the golden door!"