[mdittmar]

There is no point in an Ellis island now. There's no way anyone can show up at a legal point and get screened to get in.

Why?

[buwaya]

Immigrants cannot just show up at the border. They need to apply at a US consulate for an appropriate visa. And then they get put on one of several waiting lists.

Travelers are another matter, but this depends mainly on their nation of origin.