As the Italian Immigrants arrived in the United States, they were processed at the points of entry set up by the
Department of Immigration and Naturalization.  The most famous was of course Ellis Island off of New York City.
This island held a spectacular view of Downtown Manhattan as well as the Statue of Liberty.

The immigrants from all over the world arrived by ship.  The Italian Immigrants that we are focusing on spent
approximately 2 weeks at sea.  Because most of them were not wealthy, they were forced to endure the steerage
accommodations.  This meant staying in the bowels of the ships and were dreadfully dirty.
 

The Main Building of the Ellis Island Immigrant Processing Center was where all had to
pass medical and mental examinations as well as fit into quotas set by the Federal Governement
 
 

Upon arrival to the island, the passengers were unloaded onto the massive outdoor docks.  They would wait here,
sometimes for days, until they were allowed to enter the building complex and begin the process that could allow them to
stay in the United States Of America.  Once inside the immigrants were checked for medical conditions that
were considered undesirable.

As the medical exams were carried out on all of the prospective immigrants, the doctors wrote on their shirts with chalk
if there were any medical conditions presents.  The final inspectors then passed judgement on those wanting to enter the U.S.
 

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