Ellis Island Era Immigration Primary Sources

Ellis Island Era Immigration Primary Sources

Historical documents. What clues can you gather about the time, place, players, and culture?

Chinese Exclusion Act

We've got the 1882 Chinese Exclusion Act's text here, plus an entire learning guide dedicated to it.

"The New Colossus" by Emma Lazarus

Emma Lazarus' poem, "The New Colossus," as inscribed upon the pedestal of the Statue of Liberty.

"Unguarded Gates" by Thomas Bailey Aldrich

Thomas Bailey Aldrich's poem, "Unguarded Gates," is an anti-immigrant counter to Emma Lazarus' "The New Colussus," published in 1895.

Census Data

This page includes historical statistics on the foreign-born population of the United States.

Sacco & Vanzetti On Trial

Here's testimony from the trial of Sacco and Vanzetti.