My
grandmother was an unaccompanied minor who came to this country in 1906 on a
ship from Poland. She was part of the great influx of immigrants from Eastern
Europe who came here at the turn of the century to escape poverty and
oppression and seek freedom and a better life.
Her passage was paid for by relatives. Each
immigrant had to have a sponsor in this country who agreed to house and support
them until they learned the English language, got a job and were able to
support themselves. There was no welfare, no food stamps, and no free health
care.
When they arrived at Ellis Island or another
port of entry, they were interrogated and given a health exam. If they were
found to be sick or carrying a communicable disease, they were sent back to
their home country on the next ship. Those who were admitted had the name and
address of their sponsor and were put on trains to the destination of their
sponsor.
So when you hear how valuable the
contributions of immigrants to our country have been, remember they are not
talking about illegal immigrants who storm our borders and then expect to be
taken care of. If you don’t believe me, then you need to visit Ellis Island to
see the records and hear their stories.
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