Ellis Island founded Jan. 1, 1892: Isle of hope welcomed 20 million immigrants

There was a time when no one asked to see your ID.

Not many — if any — of the 20 million immigrants who came through Ellis Island after it opened Jan. 1, 1892, had a passport or a visa or anything much to identify them at all.

They just got off the boat, stood in a line, and walked out into the world.

But the part about standing in line was an important passage in the American immigration policy and screening.

Teams of immigration officers inspected and interviewed each person. Bags were inspected for contraband or taxable items. Officers used ship manifests to verify people’s names, where they came from, and most importantly, whether they had anywhere to go once they got here. Immigrants had to at least be able to correctly state what was written on the ship’s manifest, according to History.org. Sometimes officers would be on alert to intercept known criminals or political radicals such as strike breakers. Those detained stayed in dormitories while they appealed their case.

Then came medical inspection. Each immigrant was inspected for general health and mental capacity. The idea was that the U.S. wanted to avoid taking those who would likely need public assistance. Also, medical officers wanted to screen those immigrants who had infectious diseases. The 10 percent who failed the medical tests waited in cages until they could be sorted out.

Overall, about 2 percent of immigrants were prevented from entering the U.S. Usually this was because of illness or suspected illegal activity.

But when you did leave, no one issued you a government ID. You just found a bus to your uncle’s house or wherever you may have been headed.