Immigrants came to this country for many reasons, and most came through New York. When they docked, the immigrants were herded off their boats, and by 1892, onto Ellis Island. Eighty percent of the arrivals passed through the immigration station with little trouble. Being shown out of the Registry Hall, the immigrants walked down a hall to a door labeled "Push to New York" where they found what has become known as "the kissing post."It was here that they met those awaiting them, kissing and embracing them amid tears of joy, for they were finally in America.

But not all stories were happy ones. On Ellis Island, immigrants first had to pass inspection where doctors looked for signs of illness. Those with any suspicious symptoms were marked upon the lapel with chalk. In particular, doctors looked for trachoma, a contagious eye disease which could lead to blindness; those with the disease were not allowed into the United States.

One in six immigrants were detained at Ellis Island. Most would finally be allowed to immigrate, but many were sent back to Europe. Sometimes families were split up and children as young as ten were sent back to Europe alone.