What Happened to You at Ellis Island: The Full Inspection Process

Arriving immigrants faced a multi-stage gauntlet:

1. Registration – Name, age, occupation, origin recorded from ship manifest.
2. Medical Inspection – USPHS doctors checked for contagious disease (trachoma, TB, favus), disability, pregnancy. Chalk marks signaled defects.
3. Legal Inspection – Inspector verified identity, funds ($25+), sponsors, criminal record, political beliefs, contract labor status.
4. Manifest Verification – Ship's passenger list cross-checked; missing persons investigated.
5. Interrogation – Deeper questioning if discrepancies or "likely public charge" concern.
6. Detention – Medical holds (hospital), legal holds (Board of Special Inquiry), or awaiting sponsor/money.
7. Release or Deportation – Admitted ferried to Manhattan/NJ; excluded returned on next ship (line's cost).

Most cleared in hours; 10–20% detained; ~2% deported.