Between 1892 and 1954, over 12 million immigrants passed through Ellis Island in New York City. Many arrived by large steamships; first and second-class passengers were briefly inspected on board, while third-class passengers, traveling in crowded and unsanitary conditions, were processed on Ellis Island. After a 3-to-5-hour inspection, most were quickly released unless they had a contagious disease. Immigrant aid societies provided essential services like translation, food, clothing, religious support, legal assistance, finding relatives, temporary housing, and financial help. These immigrants played a crucial role in shaping New York City into the diverse and opportunity-rich place it is today. Today, New York City's shelter system is failing to provide adequate resources to immigrants and homeless residents.

New York City’s Shelter System Is Not Equipped to Handle a New Wave of Asylum Seekers

Around 65,000 asylum seekers have recently arrived in New York City by bus after crossing the southern U.S. border in search of a better life. These individuals, many with small children, undertook a perilous journey to escape political instability, war, violence, persecution, and poverty.

Despite their hope for a fresh start and the promise of the American Dream, many have found that the reality of America, a nation built on wealth and power, isn’t the savior they envisioned. New York City's shelter system is poorly equipped to support them. The disparity between their expectations and the harsh realities of today’s America is a sobering reminder of the ongoing struggles for equity and opportunity.

Today, thousands of New Yorkers are homeless, many of whom are likely descendants of the immigrants who came through Ellis Island between 1892 and 1954. The opportunities they worked hard to create for their families were taken away by Wall Street and big corporate landlords. Now, many people in the city’s apartment buildings are working poor, struggling to pay rent and living paycheck to paycheck.

This isn’t the America or New York City that those early immigrants built. Yet, many still hold on to the fading promise of the American Dream.

Back in March, I covered the crumbling shelter system in the wake of the migrant crisis in New York City.

Read the full article about New York City’s shelter system by Jocelyn Figueroa at Invisible People.