Ellis Island : A Historic Immigration Site
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The Statue of Liberty is near an island which served as a harbor for millions of aspiring immigrants coming to the United States in the 1800’s. That is the Ellis Island which is now part of the Statue of Liberty National Monument and is also known with its Ellis Island Immigration Museum. It is currently owned by the federal government and is a place where immigrant families can trace their immigrant history and genealogy through the facility’s computerized records of immigrants who passed through the Ellis Island.
The Ellis Island has a very rich history. It opened in January 1, 1892 as an immigration facility where immigrants were examined for entry to the United States. Millions of immigrants trooped to the Ellis Island to be reunited with their families who were already in the United States while some were new arrivals looking for new opportunities in the country. The immigrants came from all over the world seeking refuge and a new life in America.
There were many sections in the Ellis Island immigration facility during that time. The hall served as the area where thousands of immigrants were inspected everyday. There was also a dining hall that can seat around 1,000 people. Since medical issue was a concern with immigrants, there were hospital facilities that held immigrants with and were suspected with chronic illnesses and other types of conditions. Many people who were possibly already very sick at the time of being held on these hospital facilities died.
Millions of immigrants were processed in the Ellis Island . Some of them were successful enough to enter the United States. Some were unfortunately sent back to their country of origin for specific reasons including having criminal backgrounds, having communicable diseases, with mental health problems or being unskilled workers. The immigration facility was open until 1924 after the Immigration Act of 1924 was implemented turning over the immigration processing at embassies overseas. From then on, Ellis Island facility became a center for refugees, returning US soldiers, incarceration of suspected spies and served for other functions.
Truly, Ellis Island played a key part in the immigration history of the United States of America. This is the place where different cultures, ethnic groups, languages and beliefs merged with one goal of living and working in the country. This fact makes Ellis Island worth treasuring and celebrating for the rich history it bears witness to.
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