"I have nothing against immigration, just do it legally," so many say. They point to the days of Ellis Island, when immigrants came legally and were welcome.
The borders were largely open borders in the early days of Ellis Island, so most everybody was legal. I, too, wish for the days of Ellis Island -- I wish we would make it as easy for people to come as we did back then.
In the very first days of Ellis Island, I don't know if there were any restrictions. Maybe so. I do know that by 1907, there were restrictions against criminals, those who had diseases, those who had work contracts, political radicals, prostitutes, the insane, the feebleminded, and those judged likely to end up on public welfare. Ellis Island was there to weed those out. But, even at that, it was largely a matter of showing up, being processed, and staying. Only about 2 percent of those who showed up were denied.
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