Bac Pro Ccf Anglais: Ellis Island

Ellis Island

I’m going to speak about Ellis Island. In the first part, I will explain what is it and I will deal with the main lines of immigration and in my second part, I will talk about the discrimination of "rich" compared to the poor. To finish, I will give my own personal opinion.

First part.

From 1892 to 1924, Ellis Island was America's largest and most active immigration station, where over 12 million immigrants were processed. On average, the inspection process took approximately 3-7 hours. For the vast majority of immigrants, Ellis Island truly was an "Island of Hope" - the first stop on their way to new opportunities and experiences in America. For the rest, it became the "Island of Tears" - a place where families were separated and individuals were denied entry into this country. Then it became a place of detention for immigrants until 1954. It has been estimated that close to 40 percent of all current U.S. citizens can trace at least one of their ancestors to Ellis Island.

Second part.

First and second class passengers who arrived in New York Harbor were not required to undergo the inspection process at Ellis Island. Instead, these passengers underwent a cursory inspection aboard ship, the theory being that if a person could afford to purchase a first or second class ticket, they were less likely to become a public charge in America due to medical or legal reasons.

This scenario was far different for "steerage" or third class passengers. These immigrants traveled in crowded and often unsanitary conditions near the bottom of steamships with few amenities, often spending up to two weeks seasick in their bunks during rough Atlantic Ocean crossings.

Upon arrival in New York City, ships would dock at the Hudson or East River piers. First and second class passengers would disembark, pass through Customs at the piers and were free to enter the United States. The steerage and third class passengers were transported from the pier by ferry or barge to Ellis Island where everyone would undergo a medical and legal inspection.

My own personal opinion.

Ellis Island is a kind segregation, because the wealthiest could enter without problems in state united while the poor were repressed if they were sick. Some racial tension existed in the island, for example, blacks were frapes no reason.

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