Ellis Island
Most immigrants traveled by boat into the United States and were required to pass through a large harbor called Ellis Island before they were able to enter the country. Once inside Ellis Island, immigrants had to go through an inspection process which at times lasted for several hours. For some immigrants, the passage through Ellis Island was called the “Island of Hope” , as it meant that this was the last stop until they could embark on their new life in the U.S. Other immigrants, however, called Ellis Island the “Island of tears” because very many were denied access into the country, and were forced to separate from their loved ones as they were deported back into their home country (Natural Park Service, 2014).
Nearly two percent of those who passed through Ellis Island were denied access, and 20 percent were detained. Immigrants might have been denied access because of chronic diseases, lack of money and lack of relatives who would take responsibility for them (Ellis Island Gateway to America). The most common reason for Immigrants' denial into the States was because of failing medical examinations. Medical examinations were a very crucial part of the immigrants' entry into the U.S. Diseases such as the flu, SARS, and scarlet fever served as a threat to the country, and it was each state's responsibility to keep these threats out of the country, even if it meant denying immigrants access into their new found land. The medical examination was under the control of the PHS, or Public Health Service officers. The main goal of the officers was not only to screen immigrants for chronic diseases, but to prevent the entry of undesirable immigrants or, in other words, to keep out those who would not make good citizens (Bateman-House & Fairchield, 2008).
CLICK THE LINK BELOW TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE HISTORY AND CULTURE OF ELLIS ISLAND
http://www.nps.gov/elis/learn/historyculture/index.htm
CLICK THE VIDEO BELOW TO "TOUR" ELLIS ISLAND
Nearly two percent of those who passed through Ellis Island were denied access, and 20 percent were detained. Immigrants might have been denied access because of chronic diseases, lack of money and lack of relatives who would take responsibility for them (Ellis Island Gateway to America). The most common reason for Immigrants' denial into the States was because of failing medical examinations. Medical examinations were a very crucial part of the immigrants' entry into the U.S. Diseases such as the flu, SARS, and scarlet fever served as a threat to the country, and it was each state's responsibility to keep these threats out of the country, even if it meant denying immigrants access into their new found land. The medical examination was under the control of the PHS, or Public Health Service officers. The main goal of the officers was not only to screen immigrants for chronic diseases, but to prevent the entry of undesirable immigrants or, in other words, to keep out those who would not make good citizens (Bateman-House & Fairchield, 2008).
CLICK THE LINK BELOW TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE HISTORY AND CULTURE OF ELLIS ISLAND
http://www.nps.gov/elis/learn/historyculture/index.htm
CLICK THE VIDEO BELOW TO "TOUR" ELLIS ISLAND