Read the excerpt from Immigrant Kids, by Russell Freedman. But the journey was not yet over. Before they could be admitted to the United States, immigrants had to pass through Ellis Island, which became the nation's chief immigrant processing center in 1892. There they would be questioned and examined. Those who could not pass all the exams would be detained; some would be sent back to Europe. And so their arrival in America was filled with great anxiety. Among the immigrants, Ellis Island was known as "Heartbreak Island."

Ellis Island, the major processing center for immigrants in 1892, was called “Heartbreak Island” by the immigrants. If they failed to pass all the required examinations, they would be detained on the island, and perhaps even sent back to the country they came from. All in all, the process was frightening for an immigrant.

Ellis Island was the main processing center for immigrants in 1892. There the immigrants were given exams and questioned by authorities. If they were not able to pass all the tests, they could be sent back to their homeland, or detained.

Immigrants called Ellis Island “Heartbreak Island” for a reason. The United States government was unfair in the way it decided who could come into the country and who would be sent back to their native land. Instead of evaluating the immigrants so harshly, the officials should have been more welcoming.

Before they could enter the United States, immigrants had to pass through Ellis Island, which was the country’s main processing center for immigrants in 1892. There they would be asked questions and tested. Those who could not pass all the tests would be kept on island; some would be sent back to their own country. Among the immigrants, Ellis Island was known as “Heartbreak Island.”