New York Emigration and Immigration: Difference between revisions

Immigration to the United States was relatively low until the second half of the 19th century, despite encouragement from the federal government for able-bodied individuals to settle western lands. Few laws protected these immigrants upon arrival in the United States. The lack of regulation or legislation concerning immigration meant that foreigners who arrived in New York City were often found knocking on the doors of almshouses or city hospitals in desperate need of help. The state of New York passed the responsibility of immigrants to New York City but still provided financial support to help fund this expensive endeavor. In 1824 New York passed the Passenger Act, which made the vessels arriving at the Port of New York partly responsible for the expenses associated with the needy immigrants they transported to and deposited in New York City. More regulations (from both the United States government and the State of New York) were enacted in the 1830s and 1840s to protect both immigrants and ease the burden immigrants placed on New York City. On August 1, 1855 [[US Immigration History#Castle_Garden|Castle Garden]] was opened as an "Emigrant Receiving Depot." It was the first official immigrant receiving station in the United States. Castle Garden continued to function as New York's emigration receiving station until the early 1890, when [[US Immigration History#Ellis_Island|Ellis Island]] opened. The Barge Office (federally-run) was the temporary receiving station after Ellis Island was destroyed by fire. On January 1, 1892, Ellis Island permanently opened. For more information on the history of emigration in New York, read "The Port of New York Before Ellis Island" by Nancy Levin Arbeiter.<ref>Arbeiter, Nancy Levin. "The Port of New York Before Ellis Island". ''AVOTAYNU'' XXI (Fall 2005): 27-34.</ref>