The Ellis Island immigration center processes 11,747 people, more than on any other day.

Ellis Island, located in New York Harbor, served as the primary immigration station for the United States from 1892 to 1954, processing over 12 million immigrants during its peak years. Often referred to as the “Gateway to America,” it was the first stop for hopeful newcomers seeking better lives, particularly from Europe. Immigrants underwent rigorous medical and legal inspections, and while the vast majority were admitted, some faced detention or deportation. The island is historically significant not just as a point of entry, but as a symbol of American diversity and opportunity, with many U.S. citizens today tracing their ancestry back to those who passed through its halls. Now part of the Statue of Liberty National Monument, Ellis Island houses a museum that preserves and shares this rich immigration legacy.