Ellis Island, a small island in New York Harbor is located next to Liberty Island and Statue of Liberty. Ellis Island is commonly known as immigration station where between years 1892 and 1954 over twelve million refugees from all over the world entered the United States.

In the first half of 20^th century New York Harbor was the most popular destination of transatlantic ships coming from Europe. Arriving passengers were sent to Ellis Island for a medical and legal inspection, but not all of them. First and second class passengers had a cursory inspection aboard a ship and were free to enter the United States. The Federal government felt that if they could afford to purchase a first or second class ticket, they were less likely to break a law in America. Only the third class passengers were transported by barge from the pier where docked their ship to Ellis Island.