“Island of Tears”
Even for most of those third-class passengers, Ellis Island was just a stopover. For 80% of the arriving immigrants, the inspection process was complete in a matter of three to five hours. For others, it took a while longer, but they often received approval within a day or two. Officials only denied entry to 2% of immigrants – but there was no telling who would be detained.
They may not have known they had a health issue until the eye exam revealed glaucoma. They may have said something wrong and been labeled ‘mentally incompetent.’ Historian Ronald Bayor quotes an Ellis Island immigrant as saying, “I couldn’t enjoy nothing. I was afraid they were going to send me back. And I was dreaming that if they try to send me back, I’m going to fall into the river and die. I couldn’t go back.”
