History of Early Childhood Education and Immigration in the United States
Overview
This paper examines the history of immigration to the United States, focusing on the period from 1890-1920 and the role of Ellis Island in processing European and Asian immigrants. The author analyzes the inspection processes, immigration waves, and the evolving American responses to immigrant populations, including increasingly restrictive policies and racial intolerance.
What this essay covers
- Ellis Island inspection procedures and processing of steerage passengers (1890-1920)
- Immigration waves: Irish, German, Chinese, and Southern/Eastern European immigrants
- U.S. government policy responses including the Chinese Exclusion Act and Border Patrol establishment
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History of Early Childhood Education and Immigration in the United States
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History of Early Childhood Education and Immigration in the United States
The 2013 YouTube video titled “Ellis Island – History of Immigration to the United States (1890-1920)” by The Best Film Archives narrates the immigration history of about 12 million European immigrants escaping war, religious persecution, drought, and famine to America. First and second class passengers were briefly inspected and issued landing cards while still aboard the ship. However, steerage passengers were required to pass through Ellis Island, where immigration authorities processed them and gave them permission to America. I learned that this group was not deemed to have enough sufficient means to prevent them from becoming a public burden, and they were ticketed with information from their ship's registry. The inspection process took only a few hours and involved medical and legal checks to decide if the refugees should enter the country.
The medical examinations were meant to weed out immigrants with suspected handicaps or diseases. Those who failed the test were deported, although a few were detained for further examination (The Best Film Archives, 2013). I discovered that these inspections often meant the separation of family members since those who passed the doctor’s examination were allowed to proceed for questioning by federal immigration inspectors. Only those who demonstrated the ability to be independent and would not end up being supported by the government were issued a landing card and a new life in America.