US Immigration History: Difference between revisions

Millions of immigrants have entered the United States, most arriving in the 18th and 19th centuries. Prior to 1890, individual states (rather than the federal government) regulated immigration into the United States. These regulation efforts were varied and inconsistent.  In 1890, the federal government took official control of immigration and built a large immigration center on Ellis Island.<ref>"Ellis Island History," ''The Statue of Liberty - Ellis Island Foundation'', https://www.libertyellisfoundation.org/ellis-island-history</ref>

Castle Garden in New York City was the '''first official immigrant receiving station''' in the United States and was opened on August 1, 1855. Castle Garden operated as an Emigrant Landing Depot until April 18, 1890, when the United States government assumed control of immigrant processing. In total, the center processed approximately 8 million immigrants (mostly from northern and western Europe). <ref>Arbeiter, Nancy Levin. "The Port of New York Before Ellis Island". ''AVOTAYNU'' XXI (Fall 2005): 27-34.</ref><ref>Wikipedia contributors, "Castle Clinton," ''Wikipedia: the Free Encyclopedia'', https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Castle_Clinton, accessed 8 August 2018.</ref><ref>"Ellis Island History," ''The Statue of Liberty - Ellis Island Foundation'', https://www.libertyellisfoundation.org/ellis-island-history</ref>

Castle Gardens was a very busy and important immigrant receiving station. To illustrate, in 1869, 2884 letters written from immigrants to their friends were forwarded, over $41,000 was sent from these friends in return. Also in 1869, 4393 telegraph messages were forwarded, and 1351 answers were received. Also, 504 steamers and 209 sailing vessels arrived carrying passengers.<ref>Krbechek, Blanche. "About Castle Garden: Notes from an 1871 Article." ''Kashubian Association of North America Newsletter'' (Summer 2008): 4-5.</ref>  

===Ellis Island===