Incredible Photos Of Immigrants Arriving At Ellis Island

A Literacy Test

At the same time that Ellis Island was doing double duty as a detention center and a hospital, it was also serving as a way station for Navy personnel. A literacy test was also introduced during this period, putting poor and uneducated immigrants at a discriminatory disadvantage. The literacy test would remain in place until 1952. Anyone over the age of 16 who was found to be unable to read 30 to 40 test words in their native language was barred entry through Ellis Island. This policy had the biggest impact on disadvantaged people who had little access to education in their home countries but who were searching for better opportunities in America.