Ports of Immigration: Angel Island and Ellis Island

Immigration is a cornerstone of American history. People immigrate to the United States from all over the world and for many different reasons. From the late 1800s through the mid-1900s, there were many ports of entry into the United States (where people come into the country). Two of the largest were Ellis Island and Angel Island.

In this activity you will learn about the immigration process, ports of entry, and see how the United States is connected to different parts of the world.

1. Find the two photographs below the map. Click on the orange “Open in New Window” icon for each and read about the two different ports of entry for immigrants coming to America. Then move each photograph to a blue dot on the map.
2. Click on each of the other documents. Look at them closely and read the information provided. Move each one to a green dot on the map — pick the dot for the country of departure for the immigrant (where they sailed from), not necessarily their home country. (One document is a report from a U.S. immigration officer about why people were leaving their country. Put it on the country it was written about.)

As you read the documents about these immigrants, take note of which port of entry they passed through, why they wanted to come to America, and why they were denied entry (not allowed to come).