Ellis Island was the main immigration station for the United States from 1892 to 1954. During that time, over 12 million immigrants passed through the island. Before they were allowed to enter New York City, immigrants had to undergo a series of inspections, both physical and mental.
- The Physical Examination
The physical examination was conducted by doctors from the U.S. Public Health Service. They looked for signs of contagious diseases that could pose a health risk to the American public. Immigrants who were found to be sick were detained at Ellis Island until they could be treated or deported. Some of the diseases that immigrants were screened for included:
- Cholera
- Smallpox
- Tuberculosis
- Trachoma
- Yellow fever
- The Mental Examination
The mental examination was conducted by immigration officials. They looked for signs of mental illness or other conditions that could make immigrants ineligible for entry into the United States. Immigrants who were found to be mentally unfit were either deported or held at Ellis Island until they could be placed in a mental institution.
- Other Inspections
In addition to the physical and mental examinations, immigrants were also interviewed by immigration officials. These interviews were designed to determine if immigrants were eligible for entry into the United States based on their citizenship, occupation, and other factors.
The inspections at Ellis Island were often lengthy and difficult. However, they were an important part of the process of ensuring that only healthy and law-abiding immigrants were admitted into the United States.
