What happened to the immigrants while they were at Ellis Island?
"Generally, those immigrants who were approved spent from two to five hours at Ellis Island. Arrivals were asked 29 questions including name, occupation, and the amount of money carried. It was important to the American government that the new arrivals could support themselves and have money to get started. The average the government wanted the immigrants to have was between 18 and 25 dollars. Those with visible health problems or diseases were sent home or held in the island's hospital facilities for long periods of time. More than three thousand would-be immigrants died on Ellis Island while being held in the hospital facilities. Some unskilled workers were rejected because they were considered "likely to become a public charge". About 2 percent were denied admission to the U.S. and sent back to their countries of origin for reasons such as having a chronic contagious disease, criminal background, or insanity."
--http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ellis_Island#Immigrant_Inspection_Station
To find out what happened to immigrants at Ellis Island, you can follow these steps:
1. Immigration Process: Upon arrival at Ellis Island, immigrants went through a series of steps. They first underwent a medical examination to determine if they had any contagious diseases or health issues. Then, they faced legal inspections, where immigration officers reviewed their documents and questioned them about their background and intentions in the United States.
2. Documentation and Registration: Immigrants were required to provide identification, such as passports or tickets, and complete a registration form. This form included personal information, like name, age, occupation, marital status, and destination in the United States.
3. Legal Inspection: Immigration officers reviewed the immigrants' documents and conducted interviews to ascertain if they met the legal requirements for entry. This process aimed to ensure that they were not posing a threat to public health, had sufficient funds to sustain themselves, and were not seeking to engage in illegal activities.
4. Medical Examination: Registered immigrants proceeded to the medical examination. Doctors assessed their physical and mental health, checking for signs of diseases like tuberculosis or mental illness. If an immigrant failed this examination, they could be quarantined or sent back to their home country.
5. Detention or Progression: If deemed eligible for admission, immigrants were allowed to leave Ellis Island. However, some immigrants were detained for various reasons. For example, those with legal or health issues were temporarily held until their situations were resolved.
6. Legal and Social Support: At Ellis Island, various organizations provided support to immigrants, including legal aid, translation services, and assistance in finding employment or housing. These organizations helped immigrants navigate the complexities of American society and provided them with essential resources.
Understanding the process at Ellis Island helps us acknowledge the challenges and experiences immigrants faced upon their arrival in the United States.