Ellis Island Wasn’t for Everyone
Many of the ships that carried immigrants to the United States had a “class” system. A higher-priced ticket would get passengers more spacious rooms, more shipboard amenities, better deck space for recreation, and if the Titanic disaster is any indication, a better shot at a place in a lifeboat during an emergency. But the class system extended beyond the ship. It carried into immigration checkpoints. Ellis Island immigration officials would boat out to the ships to conduct onboard inspections of first- and second-class passengers. Instead of heading to the Ellis Island immigration inspection center, they went from the ships directly to U.S. Customs, after which they could board the trains to their destinations. At the time, there were no passports or visas; each immigrant had to speak directly to an official. Third class passengers had to head to Ellis Island for the required immigration inspections.