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The Ellis experience was traumatic for most newcomers, as they were closely observed from the time they set foot on the island. Inspectors looked for signs of sickness or infirmity, a limp, the empty stare of the feebleminded, or shortness of breath as they climbed the stairs to the registry hall. Arriving in the hall, the flow of traffic was channeled through metal pipe partitions so that the room assumed the look of a stockyard. Perhaps as a result of that negative image, the partitions were later exchanged for benches.

Sick, bewildered, and exhausted from the voyage, the immigrants huddled in the Great Hall of Ellis. On a daily basis, the vast registry area--frequently called the "Hall of Tears"--was filled to the walls with would-be Americans. With numbered identification tags pinned to their clothes, the immigrants awaited the battery of legal and medical examinations. Standing there today one can almost hear the voices, in a jumble of languages, echoing from the high-vaulted ceiling.

Family members were often separated as some were accepted and others rejected. The painful decision of whether to stay or return with a loved one had to be made on the spot. For most immigrants, these hours would be the most emotional and traumatic of their lives. Some could not face the disgrace or ruin of deportation, and it is estimated that there were three thousand suicides. A day spent on Ellis Island seemed like an eternity. What took place there was their first experience in America and overwhelmingly important. Would they be allowed into this land of opportunity or turned away at the door?

From the beginning, the immigrant understood that to enter the United States two things were important above all others: one must prove to be disease-free, and convince authorities that they could make a living in the newly adopted country. In its time, Ellis Island was a state-of-the-art processing station, but the machine was not without faults. The examinations were conducted in an efficient but callous manner.

The first doctors made quick examinations and noted any suspicions with a telltale chalk mark on the right shoulder of the immigrant's usually dark clothing. People thus marked were held back for further examination. A second group of doctors looked for contagious diseases. They were the most feared on the island. Trachoma, a potentially blinding and highly contagious eye disease, was the most common reason for detaining an immigrant in this phase of the examination. The medical inspectors at Ellis Island bore overwhelming responsibility in judging the health of as many as five thousand immigrants a day. Sometimes apprehensions were well founded, but most immigrants got a clean bill of health.

by greg krenzelok

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When did the medical inspections become mandatory at Ellis island?

Medical inspections at Ellis Island became mandatory in 1891 when the federal government took control of immigration processing. Prior to this, inspections were conducted at the state level, but the new regulations established a standardized process to identify and screen for diseases among incoming immigrants. The inspections aimed to protect public health and ensure that immigrants did not carry contagious diseases into the United States.


What happened at government reception centers for immigrants?

it is Ellis Island


How many European immigrants were processed at facilities on Ellis Island?

Between 1892 and 1954, over 12 million European immigrants were processed at Ellis Island. This facility served as the primary immigration station for the United States during that period, where many individuals underwent health inspections and legal evaluations before being granted entry. Ellis Island has become a symbol of the immigrant experience in America.


Asian immigrants primarily came through the immigrant processing center at?

Asian immigrants primarily came through the Angel Island Immigration Station, located in San Francisco Bay, which operated from 1910 to 1940. Unlike Ellis Island, which processed European immigrants, Angel Island was often characterized by stricter inspections and detentions due to prevalent racial biases and restrictive immigration laws. Many Asian immigrants faced long waiting periods and harsh conditions while their cases were reviewed. The station played a significant role in shaping the Asian American experience during that era.


What location was the processing point for immigrants who arrived on the East Coast?

The primary processing point for immigrants arriving on the East Coast was Ellis Island, located in New York Harbor. Opened in 1892, it served as the main entry point for millions of immigrants seeking a new life in the United States until it closed in 1954. At Ellis Island, immigrants underwent health inspections, legal processing, and documentation before being granted entry into the country.

Related Questions

When did the medical inspections become mandatory at Ellis island?

Medical inspections at Ellis Island became mandatory in 1891 when the federal government took control of immigration processing. Prior to this, inspections were conducted at the state level, but the new regulations established a standardized process to identify and screen for diseases among incoming immigrants. The inspections aimed to protect public health and ensure that immigrants did not carry contagious diseases into the United States.


What happened at government reception centers for immigrants?

it is Ellis Island


Did immigrants have to speak read and write English to enter the US Ellis island?

No, immigrants were not required to speak, read, or write English to enter the U.S. at Ellis Island. While some basic communication might have been helpful during inspections, the primary focus was on health checks and legal documentation. Many immigrants arrived with little to no English proficiency, and interpreters were often available to assist during the process.


What happened on Ellis Island in the 1800s?

Immigrants who came from Europe were processed at Ellis Island.


How many European immigrants were processed at facilities on Ellis Island?

Between 1892 and 1954, over 12 million European immigrants were processed at Ellis Island. This facility served as the primary immigration station for the United States during that period, where many individuals underwent health inspections and legal evaluations before being granted entry. Ellis Island has become a symbol of the immigrant experience in America.


Where were most immigrants from when they came to angel island?

Most immigrants arriving at Angel Island, particularly during the early 20th century, were from Asia, primarily China, Japan, India, and the Philippines. This influx was largely driven by economic opportunities and the search for a better life in the United States. Angel Island served as a processing station where many faced rigorous inspections and lengthy detention periods, reflecting the restrictive immigration policies of the time.


Asian immigrants primarily came through the immigrant processing center at?

Asian immigrants primarily came through the Angel Island Immigration Station, located in San Francisco Bay, which operated from 1910 to 1940. Unlike Ellis Island, which processed European immigrants, Angel Island was often characterized by stricter inspections and detentions due to prevalent racial biases and restrictive immigration laws. Many Asian immigrants faced long waiting periods and harsh conditions while their cases were reviewed. The station played a significant role in shaping the Asian American experience during that era.


What happened to immigrants from Europe who travelled to America in steerage?

Immigrants from Europe who traveled to America in steerage were sent to Ellis island to face legal and medical inspection.


When the ferry at Ellis island and the passengers debarked where did they go first and what happened there?

they went to ellis immigrants check in hotel


What location was the processing point for immigrants who arrived on the East Coast?

The primary processing point for immigrants arriving on the East Coast was Ellis Island, located in New York Harbor. Opened in 1892, it served as the main entry point for millions of immigrants seeking a new life in the United States until it closed in 1954. At Ellis Island, immigrants underwent health inspections, legal processing, and documentation before being granted entry into the country.


Where did most immigrants settle when they entered the US during the late twentieth and early twenty first centuries?

Immigrants enter the US through Ellis Island, and Angel Island. Ellis Island is located in New York, and Angel Island is located in San Fransisco.


Where did Ellis Island immigrants stay?

The immigrants slept on the ship in Ellis Island.