What happens to you while you are there at Ellis Island?

Answer 1

Immigrants had to pass the medical examination to pass through Ellis Island. Doctors checked immigrants' hair, faces, necks, and hands for diseases. Eyes were also checked for a blindness disease called trachoma. If immigrants got a letter marked on their clothing, that meant that they needed to have a second, more thorough checkup. If immigrants had diseases or were too sick to work, they were forced to leave the United States. The immigrants who managed to pass thus far were then asked a series of question for interrogation. The inspectors had approximately two minutes with every immigrant to double check information. If the immigrants hesitated, they had to stay at Ellis Island for more questioning.

Once the immigrants passed the medical examinations and interrogations and left Ellis Island, they began their new lives as Americans. However, they often met challenges as poor immigrants from other countries. The living conditions for them were mostly very poor. Families lived in tenements, which were small homes and apartments, sometimes even cramming one entire family into one room due to lack of money. The tenements sometimes didn't even have running water or electricity. Immigrants also had to work long hours in factories for little pay. Children would often work as well, selling newspapers or working alongside adults in factories.