Those who did land were welcome but were officially on their own completely. No welfare, no government handouts. They were usually met by previous immigrants from their own country who would assist them in finding lodging, usually for a price. Many failed and returned to Europe, broke.
30% of immigrants couldn’t manage and returned home, according to Ms Coulter.
Or not. "The Irish need not apply" signs were common.
They often ended up only in the most dangerous (teamsters, longshoremen, police, firefighters, construction work, powder monkeys, miners) or servile jobs (maid, cook, gardener).