Ellis Island
Ellis Island is a historic immigration processing station in New York Harbor, through which over 12 million immigrants entered the United States between 1892 and 1954.
Processing over twelve million hopeful new arrivals through its halls before closing permanently, this small island became the gateway through which a significant portion of the American population's ancestors first entered the country.
America's Primary Immigration Gateway
Ellis Island served as the primary immigration processing station for the United States from 1892 to 1954, processing over 12 million immigrants during its decades of operation.
A Rigorous Inspection Process
Arriving immigrants underwent medical and legal inspections at Ellis Island, with a small percentage ultimately denied entry due to health concerns or other disqualifying factors.
A Significant Ancestral Connection
An estimated significant percentage of the current American population can trace at least one ancestor's arrival through Ellis Island, reflecting its central role in American immigration history.
A Museum and National Monument
Ellis Island now operates as a museum documenting American immigration history, preserving the site's significant legacy as a gateway for generations of new Americans.
