Incredible Photos Of Immigrants Arriving At Ellis Island

A Melting Pot

Nearly half of the people who are American citizens today are here because their ancestors left behind their home countries for a new life. These people passed through Ellis Island, often not knowing whether they would be allowed into the United States or instead be forced back across the ocean. Even more Americans are descended from immigrants who came to the country before Ellis Island was an immigration center. Others are children of more recent immigrants or are immigrants themselves. America is a truly diverse country with a fascinating history, a melting pot of many different nationalities, languages, and cultures.