Why did immigrants to Ellis island have to have a health inspection?

Answer 1

to make sure immigrants would not be bringing in any diseases into a new country, they had to make sure that all the people would be getting a proper bill of health before entering, if they had TB or any other communicable disease they would be sent back.

Answer 2

Ellis Island was a major point of entry to the US for immigrants. They wanted to make sure the immigrants were healthy both to keep diseases out and to make sure the new immigrants were healthy enough to work and contribute to society.

Answer 3

They looked for trachoma, a contagious eye disease, lice, and other Physical problems such as lameness, scalp diseases, back problems, and skin diseases.