Incredible Photos Of Immigrants Arriving At Ellis Island

Squabbling Over The Island

Once New York decided to use Ellis Island as an inspection station for immigrants, officials had to double its size to accommodate the new facilities. Barges were used to bring in the dirt that was partially taken from the subway stations that were being built in Manhattan in the 1890s. Today, 90 percent of the island is artificial landfill.

One of the problems is that New Jersey owned the rights to the water surrounding the island and thereby claimed they owned 90 percent of Ellis Island. In 1998, the Supreme Court ruled that 90 percent should belong to New Jersey, and that’s why the state flag is flown on the property. Both states have jurisdiction over the island even though the island is officially part of the Statue of Liberty National Monument, a federal government facility.