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All immigrants were subjected to physical examination, and difficult interviews. At Ellis Island the immigrants were examined for signs of diseases, and then vaccinated. It was rumored that if one wiped off the skin immediately after the vaccination, one would not get sick. This was true , and this tip worked because the vaccine would not take if it was wiped off, therefore the immigrant would not get sick.

Immigrants were asked many questions which would decide if they woud be admitted or not. Questions like, " Do you have any money? Do you already have a job? Do you have a place to stay? Where does you family live? Are you married? How old are you? What job skills do you have? Have you been in America previously? Can you read?" Those who did not pass the tests at the Immigration office were sent back home to Italy generally at the expense of the ship owners, however those who did make it were allowed to pass into America."

Yup very true of how it worked. That's when immigration was legal and controlled. Even during the Great Wave many years saw no more than 3 or 4 hundred thousand enter and it worked for this country unlike today with the free-for-all we're experiencing.