Ellis Island

For more than sixty years, Ellis Island served as the entry point for millions of immigrants who hoped to start a new life in America. Between 1892 and 1924, around twelve million immigrants passed through Ellis Island on their way into the United States. Ellis Island’s main purpose was to serve as a processing station where incoming immigrants could be examined for illnesses or other problems that might prevent them from being productive members of society. Those who made it through the screenings were allowed to enter the United States. The rest were forced to return to their home countries. As a result, Ellis Island was a place of great hope and fear for many of those who landed there....