Museum - 2nd Floor West

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Amenities

4 listed

Baby Changing Station, Elevator, Historical/Interpretive Information/Exhibits, Restroom

Exhibit describing the immigrant's experience on Ellis Island.

Through America's Gate

Through photographs and artifacts, this exhibit describes the step-by-step processing of immigrants on Ellis Island.

Hearing Room

This room has been restored to look as it did around 1911, when about 10% of the persons arriving at Ellis Island were held for a legal hearing.
Those thought "liable to become public charges," or suspected of being contract laborers or worse, received yellow cards marked "S.I.," which meant that their cases would be decided by a Board of Special Inquiry. Three boards were usually in session all day, and during busy seasons a fourth board was added. Each board held 50 to 100 hearings daily in the presence of an interpreter and a stenographer.
Each board based its decision on the testimony of the immigrant and of friends or relatives allowed to speak on the immigrant's behalf. An immigrant who received an unfavorable decision from the board could appeal directly to Washington, D.C., with the help of a lawyer often provided by an immigrant aid society. Approximately 15 to 20% of the aliens who appeared before the boards were ultimately denied admission to the United States.