This quotation adds credibility to the text because his mother lived on Ellis Island with her children, and their experience agrees with Freedman’s statement that families were separated. he lived at Ellis Island for three days, and his experience agrees with Freedman’s statement that families were afraid of the health examinations. he was a writer who wrote about Ellis Island and described the feelings an immigrant might have during the physical exams. he lived at Ellis Island for three days, and his experience shows that immigrants actually were not very fearful of the health examinations.