Ellis Island Research Paper
When you think of Ellis Island, you usually think of a historical landmark. But Ellis Island has a long and interesting history to it. Back in the 1800s, Samuel Ellis owned Ellis Island. He made the island into a picnic place for the Swedish. It was purchased in 1808 by the Federal Government to be used as a Government Arsenal Fort. The need for immigration was first realized in 1847 when a severe potato famine in Ireland led to thousands of starving people storming into New England and New York. Ellis Island was the first place that many of these people came to upon entry of the United States. When these immigrants were finally granted the freedom to enter the country they brought with them many new ideas and traditions.
There were many reasons …show more content…
The immigrants who were able to afford 1st and 2nd class were searched on the ferries prior to porting. These people were searched quicker because they were thought not to carry any diseases. The workers knew that if they were sick, they could just go see their doctor. However, most immigrant cant afford to come to America in style would have to go through Ellis Island. If they didn’t have a disease and were done being processed they were set free, after only staying at the island 5-7 days. Those who had diseases or couldn’t care for themselves were denied entry to the United States. They had to wait for a ferry to take them back home. Later Congress also passed this act to provide for the examination of immigrants to exclude convicts, polygamists (which is someone who is married to two or more people at the same time), prostitutes, people suffering from diseases, a people liable to public charges. While on Ellis Island the immigrants had to go through many different tests and examinations. Doctors would check for diseases, and the slightest problems made the immigrants go back to their home countries. Although they were sent home, some immigrants didn’t want to give up that easily. They would keep trying to come to the Americas; of course coming here requires money. Some immigrants couldn’t afford it, so the borrowed money from the ‘loan sharks’. Loan sharks are
There were many reasons …show more content…
The immigrants who were able to afford 1st and 2nd class were searched on the ferries prior to porting. These people were searched quicker because they were thought not to carry any diseases. The workers knew that if they were sick, they could just go see their doctor. However, most immigrant cant afford to come to America in style would have to go through Ellis Island. If they didn’t have a disease and were done being processed they were set free, after only staying at the island 5-7 days. Those who had diseases or couldn’t care for themselves were denied entry to the United States. They had to wait for a ferry to take them back home. Later Congress also passed this act to provide for the examination of immigrants to exclude convicts, polygamists (which is someone who is married to two or more people at the same time), prostitutes, people suffering from diseases, a people liable to public charges. While on Ellis Island the immigrants had to go through many different tests and examinations. Doctors would check for diseases, and the slightest problems made the immigrants go back to their home countries. Although they were sent home, some immigrants didn’t want to give up that easily. They would keep trying to come to the Americas; of course coming here requires money. Some immigrants couldn’t afford it, so the borrowed money from the ‘loan sharks’. Loan sharks are