Ellis Island reopening
History
History has it that the period of 1892 all the way to 1954, about twelve million individuals found their way to US through an island known as Ellis. This is a particularly small island that is located within the Harbor of New York specifically in upper bay and beside the coast of New Jersey. Initially, the area occupied by this particular island was considerably small as it measured 3.3 acres (Moreno, 18). This area was then enlarged using landfill from some quantities of surplus earth as well as ship ballast that remained during the subway system construction undertakings in New York.
Other than the formation of Ellis Island there is much more of this island’s history constituting the manner in which it was put to use prior to it being used as immigrants’ station. The varied histories include a situation whereby some Indian natives refereed to it as ‘Kioshk’ as others used the name ‘Gull Island’ (Moreno, 18).
These local Indians refereed to this island by the two names due to the fact it contained rich and bountiful oyster beds together with equally many shad runs (Stewart, 34). The oysters’ presence also gave rise to the name oyster island, which remained for several generations particularly in English as well as Dutch colonial periods.
The island was referred to by several other names by 1770s, which is the time when the island became under the ownership of Samuel Ellis. These names included Anderson Island, Dyre, Kioshk, bucking as well as Oyster. Other than change of names, Ellis Island also registered development from a situation where it appeared as some form of Sandy Island and became a remarkable site in which pirates hanged out. More so, it was also an ordinance depot, harbor fort before it became a station where immigrants found a new dwelling (Moreno, 18).
Still prior to being termed as a station for immigrants, the island was found to play a considerably significant role which also formed an important content of US history. This took place during the time when British inhabited New York in the entire period of Revolutionary war. It was at this particular time that the British managed to sail its huge as well as great naval fleet through to New York without any hindrance (Stewart, 34). This is when federal government realized the great importance of this particular island and decided to commence on the process through which to gain ownership and then build some coastal reinforcements that would come in handy during war.
After a series of legal processing and disagreement concerning island possession, federal government managed to purchase it in 1808 hence had ownership transferred the State of New York. It was after the fortifications were completed that it was made to constitute a significant harbor for defense system (Stewart, 34).
History has it that before 1890, there was regulated immigration that was carried out by individual states but not federal government. At this particular time, Castle Garden which was located within Ellis Island, provided the site or station where New York immigration took place with immigrants amounting to eight million in number finding their way in through it (Szucs, 46). The largest percentage of this first category of immigrants that resided in US originated from the western as well as the northern part of Europe including Ireland, Scandinavia, Germany as well as England.
In the better part of 1800s and a section of 19th century, the immigration increased in terms of both rate and numbers due to such occurrences as political instability, worsening economic conditions, religious laws that were considerably restrictive within Europe (Szucs, 46). Therefore, the most promising escape route for European residents affected by these deteriorating situations was US and in this case, to Ellis island.
In a considerably short period of time, the place that never had people living became densely populated and characterized by ill-equipment as well as corrupt practices. This is when federal government saw it necessary to intervene by constructing a well designed station for immigration within the very Ellis Island. The construction process was completed in 1892, opening way for many more individuals to flow into the island.
All went well within Ellis Island until one day in June 1897, when fire broke out destroying the station greatly including immigration records. However, federal government did not hesitate to rebuild the destroyed structures but with greater caution concerning similar fire events in future (Szucs, 46). Therefore, the rebuilt structures were made fireproof starting with the major buildings in order to fasten the station’s reopening.
These immigrants traveled using steamships and through the harbor of New York. Among the companies responsible for the operations of these steamships included Hamburg-America, White-Star, Cunard as well as Red Star which finally formed part of the significant immigration history regarding immigration process to Ellis Island. When the First World War had ended and strict regulations adopted in order to limit immigration rate including placement of distinct American embassies in which to carry out inspection process, Ellis Island continued to serve several other purposes. These include an instance whereby enemy merchants were placed in dormitories as well as garbage building as detainees in the course of Second World War. More so, servicemen amounting to about 60,000 underwent training by Coast Guard within the same Ellis Island.
It was not until 1954 that release of detainees was completed and then followed by an official closure of the island. The president reigning in US in the year 1965 pronounced Ellis Island a constituent of Liberty Monument (Krudop, 25). This declaration was followed by a situation whereby the public was allowed limited entry to this particular island in the period starting from 1976 all the way to 1984. It was after this period that Ellis Island encountered significant restorations otherwise considered as the most significant restoration to have been undertaken within US. The project constituting the restoration was amounted to an amazing $160 million which came from Liberty Statute donations and in collaboration with the department of National service.
The year 1990 was when the major building underwent the final touches and a grand reopening to public members. This time round, the reopening was different in terms of the functionality as it was to serve as immigration museum rather that a station (Krudop, 25). The museum’s contribution to the entire US history has since then made it a frequent destination fro a great number of travelers and local visitors who amount to about 2 million within a year.
The process of getting to Ellis Island
Other than just forming part of means used by immigrants to travel to Ellis Island, steamships also constituted the entire entry process. This followed categorization of immigrants by their specific passengers’ classes during traveling. That is, those immigrants who managed to travel in both the first as well as second classes required minimal inspection undertakings due to the fact that their considerable financial wellness promised lesser public charges for these individuals in terms of legal as well as medical reasons.
Instead of these affluent passengers having their inspection process undertaken within Ellis Island, it was carried out aboard ship. The reasoning behind this selective inspection process was that there was a lower possibility of having these peoples getting hospitalized (Krudop, 25). This is partly because the conditions within steamship sections constituting first as well as second classes were conducive and they would less likely infect each other with diseases.
More so, their affluence is expected to have enabled them maintain good health while residing in their specific origins. However, these individuals’ inspection process was only undertaken within Ellis Island in order to be undertaken further inspection in situations whereby they were found to possess legal and/or health related problems (Krudop, 25).
On the other hand, passengers occupying third class section within steamships which was much more crowded and characterized by unsanitary conditions had a more strict as well as careful inspection carried out on them. This was associated with a situation whereby they were predicted to be of a low economic class hence with a higher possibility to possess medical as well as legal complications.
In addition to these, the third class section was such that it constituted minimal amenities hence not as conducive as the case with the other two class steamship sections. Therefore, these individuals were remained as the affluent ones left and were then taken by ferry to have legal as well as medical inspection carried out within Ellis Island (Krudop, 25).
At first, the process through which the various inspection check ups occurred took a considerably lengthy time period such that up to five hours were consumed. However, as time passed by, the doctors gained more experience in inspection process and could easily tell if an immigrant suffered from any of the noticeable physical ailments by a simple glance (Jacobs, 35). Legal inspection consisted cross checking a form in which the name of a specific immigrant accompanied by several questions were accurately noted down and answered accordingly. In this case, the entire immigration process was undertaken and controlled by the institution of public health as well as immigration Bureau.
When the First World War ended, it was possible for US to carry on with its intentions of becoming a major world’s power. This led to establishment of embassies in various countries worldwide which enabled immigrants to make visa applications at their specific American consulate (Jacobs, 35). This included paper work as well as medical checkups all of which were underwent crosschecking within consulates.
Finally, the total number of individuals received within US after the reopening exceeded 22 million. This was evident in a situation whereby a very small immigrant’s percent experienced entry exclusion with the main reasons being possession of contagious diseases or having unacceptable legal record.
The number of people passing through
After the island’s reopening, immigrants amounting to over twelve million found their way into this particular island known as Ellis. This started on the exact day that the major building was reconstructed whereby about 2,251 immigrants underwent inspection and reception in US. This was just but the beginning since in the beginning of 1900’s when immigration officials perceived that the rate had declined considerably, it turn out to be the opposite (Jacobs, 35).
The highest immigration period was recorded during this particular period whereby immigrants amounting to about 1.25 million underwent processing in the year 1907. This led to initiation of additional building construction and enlargement in order be in a position to accommodate the high immigrants number.
It was when the First World War commenced that this immigration rate declined as during this time, US turned Ellis Island to custody for a great number of suspected enemies. These suspected aliens who had been detained in 1919 were taken to different locations leaving the navy and medical department of the army in control of Ellis Island during war period.
Although immigration did not stop completely, it assumed a rather strict mode and it was carried out onboard (Jacobs, 35). This process culminated as some aliens were deported which made many immigrants even more afraid of getting to US. 1920, was when US managed to have the island reopened as a immigrants amounting to about 225,206 were received to that specific station.
Regulations
It was noted that as years passed by and immigrants’ number continued to increase so were regulations regarding immigration continued to become stricter. This was made evident by the situation whereby a considerably large number of nativists as well as politicians urged for an increment in restrictions exercised during immigration process (Jacobs, 35). This continued pressure especially to the political arena gave rise to several laws and Acts associated with controlling immigration including the Act of Chinese Exclusion, literacy test institution and a labor law for alien contract.
More were the Act of National origins as well as Quota laws that were passed in the year 1924 which led to even stricter immigration process. The explanation given for this kind of immigration regulation was that the 1910 census outcome showed an inconsistency in terms of immigrants’ ethnicity. That is, ethnic flavor for immigrants who had come to US early enough required preservation since it was be believed that new arrivals appeared to be inferior in certain ways compared to ‘old immigrants’ (Jacobs, 35).
Benefits immigrants had coming to America, the benefits immigrants have now
Although the immigrants encountered great trouble in their attempts to find their way to US those who finally managed had a chance to celebrate part of what they had always hoped for (Hagen, 126). That is, the immigrants had distinct reasons that made them travel and reside in US and on arrival; each of them proceeded to pursue their dreams accordingly.
The benefit that a greater immigration population would confess to have received upon settling in America was that associated with financial status (Hagen, 126). This is because some people had left their countries so poverty stricken and had all their hope for a better financial situation in America.
More so, there are those who were not in a position to enjoy medical care sponsored by ruling government which they received freely in while in US (Carmack, 147). Employment opportunities that paid considerably well compared to what they earned in their specific countries of origin were secured in America.
The pros and cons of why it would or would not be beneficial to reopen Ellis Island
Apart from the promising life that immigrants yearned to enjoy upon arriving in US, the process involved in finding entry proved difficult to many (Carmack, 147). That is, the immigrants were expected to accumulate large sums of money that they were to use for transport expenses. However, even after striving hard to get the exact amount and then travel all the way to US, some were desperately sent back as they did not manage to pass inspection process.
This process that was less strict in the beginning was made very strict by the day in such a way that lesser immigrants would be allowed through. Some immigrants who did not manage to get through and sent back developed depression as well as stress related disorders after realizing how close they were to their future dreams (Houghton, 52). More so, some had accumulated money to cater for transport by borrowing and hoped to repay through employment they would secure in America.
It was to the disappointment of these immigrants that they would not get these dream jobs and were expected to find other ways in which to accumulate money and pay debts. Some were forced to even apply for additional loans in order to settle their debts then secure more to help them make new traveling plans to America.
The island’s reopening that attracted so many other immigrants led to a situation whereby the area became congested due to overpopulation. More so, the largest portion of immigrants were very not qualified for ‘good’ jobs and opted to take up those that could be found at ease. However, it was clear that the money accumulated from these rather odd jobs was barely enough to sustain these people and some continued to suffer in poverty which was contrary to what they had hoped for (Houghton, 52).
Some immigrants found out that they suffered much more within Ellis Island than they had done when still residing in their home countries. That is, back home, they were able to work at their own free time and under less pressure but upon arrival within US, they settled as slave laborers. Contagious diseases were also contracted among immigrants since they continued being poor and could no longer maintaining a clean environment within Ellis Island.
Island reopening also resulted to a situation whereby family members separated since not each of them was allowed through. There were such instances where some were lucky to pass the inspection while others failed forcing them to get back to hoe countries as their partners proceeded to America (Kroll, 12). Worse situations occurred where the older family members that had sicknesses would not be allowed through and upon retuning to their home countries, life turned out worse for them since those who used to help them had already gone to America.
Other than the disadvantages that reopening resulted to, there was a positive side for this particular reopening but for some immigrants. This is because, some family members who happened to be left back in their home countries as others succeeded to enter America got opportunities to try their luck and finally managed to get reunited with others (Kroll, 12).
Immigrants who prioritized religion also found hope in proclaiming their beliefs within Ellis in a free manner as well as environment. This was particularly beneficial to those who were formerly restricted to carrying out their religious undertakings within their home countries. Ellis Island also brought together a great variety of ethnicities that found ways in which to live and survive together that would not have happened was it not for its reopening.
Conclusion
It is evident that Ellis Island has great significant in the entire US history especially considering the eventful happenings taking place upon its reopening. Although that is long gone and people who used it as their entry point are now settled, the island still continues to be utilized accordingly (Bial, 15). That is, the area that takes a good share of American imagination assumes a transformed appearance which also serves as a very popular tourist destination as well as attraction.
The new face of the island also earns it the privilege of taking the place of Plymouth Rock which was previously the site to which myths were founded. However, a considerably great number of Americans can trace their myths through this particular island since it is where their ancestors came from (Bial, 15).
Work cited
Bial, R. Ellis Island: Coming to the Land of Liberty, Houghton Mifflin Books for Children, 2009 pp 15
Carmack, S, The family tree guide to finding your Ellis Island ancestors, Writer’s Digest Books, 2005 pp 147
Hagen, C. Ellis Island: echoes from a nation’s past, Aperture Foundation, 1989 pp 126
Houghton, G. Ellis Island: A Primary Source History of an Immigrant’s Arrival in America, the Rosen Publishing Group, 2003 pp52
Jacobs, W. Ellis Island: new hope in a new land, C. Scribner’s, 1990 pp 35
Kroll, S. Ellis Island: doorway to freedom, Holiday House, 1995 pp 12
Krudop, W. & Peacock, L., At Ellis Island: A History in Many Voices, Atheneum Books for Young Readers, 2007 pp 25
Moreno, B. Ellis Island, Arcadia Publishing, 2003 pp 18
Stewart, F. Ellis Island, Penguin Group USA, 1981 pp 34
Szucs, L. Ellis Island: Tracing Your Family History through America’s Gateway, Ancestry Publishing, 2000 pp 46
