Immigration Information
Ellis Island
The tedious journey through Ellis Island was a hardship immigrants of all kinds had to face.
Medical ExaminationImmigrants were examined to be deemed fit to enter America. Those that did not meet requirements were marked with a piece of chalk. The type of chalk mark determined your "problem" and who would look at you next. After going through multiple medical examinations, about 2% of immigrants were sent back to their home countries for medical or mental reasons.
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Not Making itWhile a majority of immigrants (98%) passed through to America, others remained behind, usually for a medical reason. Sometimes over 1,000 people per month were not admitted into America. These people may never have seen their loved ones ever again. Merely the thought of rejection took a great toll on the immigrants coming to America who did not want to be separated from their families forever.
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DetentionsUp to 20% of those passing through Ellis Island got detained. They could be waiting for a family member, money, a hearing, or waiting for sick relative to be released from the Ellis Island hospital. The long waits of those that were detained could last up to weeks, with no sign of when they might end. Imagine days of torture as you wait and see whether you will make it into a new life.
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Luke Macy visited Ellis Island and took these photos (some are photos of photos). They illustrate what life was like for those immigrating into America.
Immigration
An animation showing immigration into America. Each dot represents 10,000 people moving from one place to another. Lit up countries show more people leaving.
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A key in the bottom left corner shows the countries with the most people leaving them at the time. Notice Italy as the top country from 1890-1919.
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Italy is the pink country in Southern Europe that jets out into the Mediterranean Sea.
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works cited
New York City Skyline from Ellis Island Wallpaper. Digital image. Wall Devil. N.p., 2015. Web. 12 June 2016.
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Project by Ben Crair, Luke Macy, Will Ian, and Dom Riccio
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