Ellis Island | Hope and Tears | 4
This episode of American History Tellers examines the immigration processing system at Ellis Island, focusing on the medical inspections, economic assessments, and strict criteria that determined whether arrivals could enter the United States. The episode explores how officials conducted health screenings for thousands of immigrants daily, checking for diseases and disabilities that could result in deportation, and how they evaluated whether newcomers would become economically self-sufficient.
Through the story of Severio Domeniani, an Italian immigrant who made multiple transatlantic crossings between 1901 and 1920, the episode illustrates the "Birds of Passage" pattern of cyclical migration. Research assistant Riley Dominianni shares her personal discovery that Severio was her great-great-grandfather and that he was among the 2% of Ellis Island arrivals who faced deportation. The episode also highlights how genealogical research through Ellis Island's archives can reveal unexpected family connections across generations.
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1-Page Summary
Ellis Island's Immigration Processing and Medical Inspections
The main immigration building on Ellis Island, opened in 1900, featured the Registry Room—a grand hall that served as an emotionally charged focal point for arriving immigrants. The processing system was highly regimented, with immigrants assigned to fenced-off "pens" and given landing cards pinned to their clothing to track them through the facility. During peak periods, 5,000 to 6,000 people might arrive in a single day. The facility sprawled across 27 acres and included a hospital complex with 750 beds.
Health screenings were comprehensive and immediate. Doctors conducted head-to-toe inspections, checking for contagious diseases like trachoma, typhus, and cholera. Physicians used button hooks to examine up to 12,000 eyeballs daily for signs of infection. Officials also matched immigrants to their ship manifest data, verifying details like intended addresses and family connections.
Beyond medical health, officials assessed each applicant's economic utility and employability. Those deemed "likely to become a public charge" risked deportation regardless of their skills. Even skilled workers with disabilities could be rejected if inspectors believed they were unemployable. Young single women faced additional scrutiny and were often detained until male relatives claimed them.
Severio Domeniani's Immigration Journey and Deportation
Severio Domeniani's story illustrates the "Birds of Passage" pattern—immigrants who moved back and forth seeking temporary work. Riley Dominianni found records showing Severio traveled from Calabria, Italy to both Argentina and the United States multiple times between 1901 and 1920, likely working in Shemokin, Pennsylvania's coal mines.
His 1912 entry marked a turning point. After initially passing inspection, Severio was flagged for trachoma and hospitalized for two days on Ellis Island before being deported back to Argentina on the same ship that brought him. By 1915, he was in Italy for his son Armando's birth. Severio's final journey began in 1920, and his wife Candida and sons joined him in 1927, sailing from Naples as Italy became politically unstable.
By the 1940 census, the family lived in Brooklyn. Severio died on Christmas Eve 1943, and Candida mourned him by wearing black for twenty years and forbidding Christmas Eve celebrations.
Researching Genealogy Through Ellis Island Archives
As a research assistant at Ellis Island's Records Discovery Center, Riley Dominianni accesses comprehensive archives including ship manifests, detention forms, and medical documents. These records provide detailed information about passengers' destinations, physical traits, and family connections, forming an unparalleled genealogical resource spanning multiple U.S. ports and centuries.
Riley discovered her own connection to Ellis Island while working there. Tracing her great-great-grandfather Severio's crossings, she was shocked to learn he had been deported—a fate that befell only about 2% of Ellis Island arrivals. She also found his work permit from Argentina, complete with his photograph and signature, creating what she describes as a profound emotional connection across generations.
The discovery became even more remarkable when Riley and museum consultant Sarah Litvin uncovered that both their great-grandfathers appeared on the same 1912 ship manifest, just lines apart. Decades later, their descendants now collaborate on a museum exhibit featuring both families. Stephen Lean, another staff member, experienced a similar coincidence when he helped a young Italian woman search for relatives, discovering she was related to his husband's ancestors.
Immigration Patterns and Deportation Impact
The "Birds of Passage" phenomenon involved young men like Severio who traveled back and forth between their homeland and countries like the U.S. or Argentina, seeking work and sending remittances home. This cyclical migration challenges the traditional one-way immigration narrative.
Deportation traumatized the roughly 2% of immigrants rejected at Ellis Island. Stephen Lean explains that certain diseases like trachoma resulted in almost automatic deportation, as did disabilities regardless of skill level. The consequences extended beyond the deportee—families who depended on their income suffered, and deportees could be stranded far from both family and homeland. In Severio's case, being returned to Argentina rather than Italy left him stranded where his work permit had expired.
Lindsay Graham and Riley Dominianni note that immigration patterns were influenced by economic conditions, with peak years bringing thousands daily seeking industrial jobs. Political turmoil in 1920s Europe motivated families like Severio's to emigrate, while ethnic networks and family connections guided where newcomers settled and found work.
1-Page Summary
Additional Materials
Counterarguments
- While Ellis Island's processing system was highly regimented, it often resulted in dehumanizing treatment of immigrants, with individuals herded into pens and subjected to impersonal mass inspections.
- The medical inspections, though comprehensive, sometimes relied on outdated or overly harsh diagnostic methods (such as the buttonhook eye exam), which could lead to false positives and unnecessary deportations.
- The policy of deporting those "likely to become a public charge" was based on subjective judgments and could unfairly target individuals with disabilities or those who did not fit inspectors' expectations, regardless of their actual ability to contribute economically.
- The additional scrutiny and detention of young single women reflected gender biases and paternalistic attitudes, limiting women's autonomy and reinforcing restrictive social norms.
- The "Birds of Passage" pattern is sometimes romanticized, but it also reflected economic instability and lack of opportunity in both the home and host countries, forcing families into cycles of separation and uncertainty.
- The trauma and hardship caused by deportation extended beyond the individual to entire families and communities, and the 2% deportation rate, while seemingly low, represented thousands of disrupted lives.
- The focus on genealogical discovery and emotional connections in the archives may overshadow the broader context of systemic exclusion, discrimination, and hardship faced by many immigrants.
- The narrative centers primarily on European immigrants, potentially overlooking the experiences of non-European arrivals who faced different and often harsher barriers at U.S. ports of entry.
Actionables
- you can create a simple family migration timeline by gathering stories, documents, or photos from relatives and mapping out where and when your ancestors moved, helping you visualize patterns like cyclical migration or family reunification and sparking conversations about how economic or political events shaped your family's journey.
- a practical way to understand the impact of health screenings on migration is to research historical medical conditions that affected immigrants and compare them to current health requirements for travel or immigration, then reflect on how these rules might affect you or your family if you were moving today.
- you can use free online tools to trace the neighborhoods where people from your ancestral region settled in your city, then visit those areas to observe how ethnic networks influenced local culture, businesses, and community life, deepening your appreciation for how newcomers shape and are shaped by their environments.
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Ellis Island's Immigration Processing Procedures and Medical Inspections
Ellis Island's Main Building Layout Shaped Immigrant Processing Experience
The main immigration building on Ellis Island, opened in 1900, is constructed in the French Renaissance style and made of brick. This building housed the Registry Room, a grand hall so vast that for most arriving immigrants, stepping inside was an awe-inspiring and emotionally charged experience—often the largest room they had ever been in except perhaps their local place of worship. The scale and grandeur of this space were meant to impress upon newcomers the gravity and seriousness of their situation; it served as the emotional focal point for all who passed through.
Immigrant processing was highly regimented. Upon arrival, passengers were not free to move about. Instead, they were assigned to "immigrant pens," fenced-off areas designed to keep order among thousands of people from around the globe, speaking dozens of languages. Order was further enforced by assigning landing cards to each passenger before they even disembarked. These paper tags, pinned to clothing, listed the person’s name and the page of the ship manifest where their record could be found. Upon entering the Registry Room, immigrants were grouped according to these manifest pages, simplifying tracking and processing for officials, especially critical during peak periods when 5,000 to 6,000 people might arrive in a single day.
The Ellis Island facility ultimately sprawled across 27 acres. It housed a hospital complex with about 750 beds, including a general hospital, dedicated measles wards (serving anyone with a severe contagious disease), and isolation wards. For many immigrants from rural areas, the size and scale of Ellis Island represented a campus larger and more complex than their hometown.
Immigrant Health Screenings For U.S. Entry
Once off the boats, immigrants underwent immediate and comprehensive health inspections. Officials observed them for signs of illness or disability from the moment they arrived, focusing attention on those who looked or moved in ways that suggested poor health. Weeks spent at sea often left travelers vulnerable, and any visible sickness or handicap risked detention or quarantine.
Doctors conducted head-to-toe inspections. In particular, they screened for contagious diseases such as malaria, typhus, cholera, scarlet fever, mumps, and especially trachoma—a highly contagious eye infection that could lead to blindness. Physicians used button hooks to invert eyelids and check for signs of trachoma or conjunctivitis, examining thousands of eyes daily. The scale was extraordinary, with up to 12,000 eyeballs checked each day, often under less-than-ideal hygienic conditions.
Inspectors then matched each immigrant to their manifest data, which recorded details like nationality, family left behind, and the U.S. address they intended to join. If the stated address seemed suspicious, staff might even verify its authenticity before granting admission.
The hospital on Ellis Island was advanced for its time and staffed by nurses and doctors from the U.S. Public Health Service. It served as a teaching hospital and treated an extraordinarily diverse patient population. Nurses such as Margaret Daly faced emotional conflict, balancing their caregiver roles with their duty to enforce exclusion policies. Children treated at the hospital sometimes formed lasting bonds with nurses, many of whom spoke their native languages and themselves had immigra ...
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Ellis Island's Immigration Processing Procedures and Medical Inspections
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Clarifications
- The French Renaissance style blends classical Greek and Roman elements with medieval Gothic features, emphasizing symmetry, proportion, and ornate decoration. It often includes steeply pitched roofs, elaborate stonework, and arched windows or doors. This style reflects a period of cultural rebirth in France during the 15th and 16th centuries, symbolizing elegance and grandeur. Its use in Ellis Island's building conveyed importance and dignity to the immigrant processing experience.
- The Registry Room, also called the Great Hall, was the central processing area where immigrants were formally registered and interviewed. Officials used it to verify identities, check documents, and conduct initial legal inspections. It functioned as a controlled space to organize large groups efficiently during peak immigration. The room's design facilitated orderly movement and communication between immigrants and officials.
- "Immigrant pens" were fenced-off holding areas used to organize large groups of arriving immigrants. They prevented overcrowding and chaos by keeping people separated and orderly while waiting for processing. These pens helped officials manage communication barriers and maintain security. Their use was essential due to the sheer volume and diversity of immigrants arriving simultaneously.
- Landing cards were small documents given to immigrants before disembarking, containing their name and a reference to their entry in the ship's official passenger list, called the manifest. The ship manifest was a detailed record created by the ship's crew listing every passenger's personal information, origin, and destination. These tools helped immigration officials quickly locate and verify each immigrant's identity and paperwork during processing. This system ensured orderly management of large groups arriving simultaneously.
- Processing 5,000 to 6,000 immigrants daily required precise coordination to prevent chaos and delays. Officials had to quickly verify identities, conduct medical exams, and perform legal inspections under time pressure. Language barriers and diverse cultural backgrounds complicated communication and organization. The facility's design, including immigrant pens and manifest grouping, helped manage this massive flow efficiently.
- The contagious diseases listed were common and highly infectious in the early 20th century, posing public health risks. Immigration officials screened for them to prevent outbreaks in crowded U.S. cities. Trachoma was especially feared because it could cause blindness and spread easily in close quarters. Detecting these diseases helped protect both immigrants and the American population.
- Button hooks were small, slender tools originally designed to fasten buttons on gloves and shoes. At Ellis Island, doctors repurposed them to gently flip immigrants' eyelids inside out for close examination. This method allowed inspectors to detect trachoma, a contagious eye disease not easily visible from the outside. The use of button hooks was practical but often uncomfortable and unhygienic.
- The U.S. Public Health Service (PHS) was a federal agency responsible for protecting public health, including controlling infectious diseases. At Ellis Island, PHS doctors and nurses operated the hospital and conducted medical inspections to prevent the spread of illness into the U.S. They had legal authority to quarantine, treat, or deny entry to immigrants based on health grounds. Their role balanced public safety with immigrant care during processing.
- "Likely to become a public charge" (LPC) was a legal standard used to deny entry to immigrants deemed unable to support themselves financially. It meant officials believed the person would rely on government aid or charity. This designation often led to detention or deportation to prevent immigrants from becoming a financial burden on society. The LPC rule reflected economic and social biases of the time. ...
Counterarguments
- While the grandeur of the Registry Room was intended to impress upon immigrants the seriousness of their situation, it could also be seen as intimidating or overwhelming, potentially increasing anxiety for already vulnerable newcomers.
- The highly regimented processing and use of "immigrant pens" may have contributed to feelings of dehumanization and stress among immigrants, rather than simply maintaining order.
- The medical inspections, particularly the use of button hooks to invert eyelids, were often performed under unsanitary conditions and could be physically painful or traumatic, raising concerns about the adequacy and humanity of the procedures.
- The subjective assessment of "desirability" and employability by officials allowed for personal biases and discrimination to influence decisions, leading to unfair exclusions based on disability, gender, or perceived economic value rather than actual ability or character.
- The policy of detaining young single women until claimed by a male relative reflected paternalistic and gender-biased a ...
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Severio Domeniani's Personal Immigration Journey and Deportation
Severio Domeniani’s story illustrates the "Birds of Passage" pattern, where immigrants sought temporary work in the United States and returned home. His journey is marked by repeated transatlantic crossings, a significant medical deportation, and a family’s ultimate settlement in the U.S.
Severio Domeniani's Migration Represents "Birds of Passage" Temporary Work Pattern
Severio Domeniani left Isca Sologno, Calabria, Italy at a young age, traveling not only to the United States but also to Argentina. This pattern of migration was common among early 20th-century immigrants known as "Birds of Passage," who moved back and forth seeking work. Riley Dominianni found Severio’s name in Ellis Island immigration records, documenting his arrivals in 1901, 1906, 1912, and 1920. The records show he spent significant time in Shemokin, Pennsylvania, a coal mining town, where he likely worked as a laborer and possibly as a carpenter, inferred from family stories of his toolkit and skills.
Severio's Ellis Island Arrival Led to Trachoma Hospitalization and Deportation, a Turning Point in His Immigration Trajectory
While most of Severio’s passages into the U.S. were uneventful, his 1912 entry through Ellis Island marked a turning point. Initially passing inspection, he was flagged for trachoma, a highly contagious eye infection. Severio was hospitalized for two days on Ellis Island. Because trachoma was considered a serious public health risk, regulations required his immediate deportation. He was sent back to Argentina on the same ship, the SS Voltaire, which had brought him. This episode was a direct result of medical screening and highlights an often-overlooked aspect of early immigration enforcement.
Severio's 1914 Return to Italy, Armando's Birth in 1915, and 1920 Ellis Island Immigration Attempt
There is a gap in the records between Severio’s 1912 deportation and his reappearance in Italy around 1914. By 1915, he was in Italy for the birth of his son Armando. Severio’s final recorded immigration journey began in 1920, sailing from Naples to New York, reportedly b ...
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Severio Domeniani's Personal Immigration Journey and Deportation
Additional Materials
Counterarguments
- While Severio Domeniani’s migration fits the "Birds of Passage" pattern, not all aspects of his journey—such as his family’s eventual permanent settlement—align with the strictly temporary nature implied by the term.
- The narrative relies on family stories to infer Severio’s occupation as a carpenter, but there is no direct documentary evidence confirming this specific trade.
- The account emphasizes the impact of medical screening at Ellis Island, but does not address that such screenings were standard procedure for all immigrants and not unique to Severio’s experience.
- The text highlights the emotional impact of Severio’s struggles on his family, but does not provide evidence beyond fa ...
Actionables
- You can map your own family’s migration or movement patterns by creating a simple timeline or annotated map, noting each move, the reasons behind it, and any challenges faced, to better understand how mobility shaped your family’s story and values.
- A practical way to explore the emotional impact of migration on families is to interview older relatives about traditions, rituals, or rules that were shaped by past hardships or separations, then document these stories in a journal or digital file for future generations.
- You can simulate the experience of adapting to a new environment ...
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Researching Genealogy Through Ellis Island Records and Archives
Ellis Island’s archives provide a rich resource for uncovering immigrant histories, bridging generations, and sparking emotional connections among families who research their ancestry there.
Ellis Island Discovery Center: Archives Reveal Immigrant Experiences
As a research assistant at the Records Discovery Center at Ellis Island, Riley Dominianni accesses comprehensive archives that detail the immigration experiences of countless ancestors. These archives consist of arrival records, ship manifests, detention forms, U.S. and international government inquiries, and medical documents. The ship manifests, such as the ledger for the SS Voltaire from Buenos Aires in 1912, provide not only names and occupations, but also specific information about where passengers were headed, whom they were joining, and their ties to family already in the country. Some sections document identifying physical traits—scars, large moles, missing or extra fingers and toes—for identity verification.
The archives stretch far beyond Ellis Island itself: the Foundation responsible for their preservation maintains millions of records from multiple U.S. ports spanning centuries. These documents form an unparalleled genealogical resource for families seeking to trace ancestors’ journeys to America.
Research Into Ancestry: Riley Domeniani Discovers Emotional Ties Through Great-Great-Grandfather Severio
Riley Dominianni, who began her work at Ellis Island as an intern, discovered during her tenure that she is personally connected to this mosaic of immigrant stories. Growing up, she knew little more than her family’s Italian heritage and the name of her great-great-grandfather, Severio Domeniani, who left Isca Sologo, Calabria, lived for a time in Argentina, and was ultimately joined by his family in New York. With access to Ellis Island’s archives, Riley traced Severio’s crossings: he appeared in records for 1901, 1906, 1912, and 1920, showing repeated attempts to settle in America.
To her shock, Riley discovered that Severio had once been deported. She had always assumed multiple trips reflected successful arrivals, never considering he might have been denied entry, a fate faced by only about 2% of newcomers to Ellis Island. Along with U.S. arrival records, Riley found Severio’s work permit from Argentina, complete with his signature and a photograph. Holding this artifact, she describes a profound emotional closeness—his photo and signature formed a bridge across generations and geography, offering a tangible connection to the man who set her family’s American story in motion.
Discovering Family Connections at Ellis Island: Moments of Historical and Personal Significance
Riley’s discovery became even more significant through her collaboration with Sarah Litvin, a museum consultant. While working on a new exhibit, Riley and Sarah uncovered that both their great-grandfathers appeared on the same ship mani ...
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Researching Genealogy Through Ellis Island Records and Archives
Additional Materials
Counterarguments
- While Ellis Island’s archives are extensive, they are not comprehensive; many immigrant records are missing, incomplete, or contain errors due to inconsistent record-keeping practices of the era.
- The focus on Ellis Island may overlook the experiences of immigrants who entered the United States through other ports or overland routes, whose stories may not be represented in these archives.
- Not all families are able to find meaningful information about their ancestors in the archives, which can lead to frustration or disappointment for some visitors.
- The emotional impact of discovering ancestral records may not be universal; some individuals may feel disconnected from or uninterested in their genealogical past.
- The narrative centers on successful discoveries and emotional connections, but does not address the potential for uncovering painful or traumatic family histories, which can be distressing for some ...
Actionables
- you can create a family migration timeline by gathering any available family documents, photos, and oral stories, then mapping out each ancestor’s journey on a physical or digital map to visualize migration patterns and spark new questions for further exploration.
- a practical way to deepen your connection to your ancestry is to write a letter addressed to an ancestor, using details from any records or stories you find, and then share it with relatives to encourage them to add their own letters or memories, building a collaborative family narrative.
- you can organize a virtual family discov ...
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Immigration: Birds of Passage, Deportation, and Patterns
"Birds of Passage" Phenomenon in Temporary Labor Migrations
Early 20th-century immigration to the United States included many so-called "birds of passage." Lindsay Graham and Riley Dominianni describe these migrants, usually young men like Severio, who left home for work opportunities abroad. They often traveled back and forth between their homeland and countries such as the U.S. or Argentina. Their goal was to earn money, sometimes moving between different cities or states, returning home periodically, or eventually sending for family members to join them if they decided to stay. This cyclical migration challenges the traditional one-way immigration narrative—it involved maintaining ties with families left behind, which created both stability through remittances and uncertainty due to the impermanence of their residency abroad.
Deportation Traumatized Rejected Immigrants, Causing Hardship and Family Destabilization
Deportation was a significant trauma for the small percentage of immigrants rejected at Ellis Island—about 2%, compared to the 98% who successfully entered. Known as the Island of Hope or the Island of Tears, Ellis Island became a place of distress for those denied entry. Deportation usually resulted from conditions like medical issues, risk of becoming a public charge, disability, or behavioral concerns. Stephen Lean explains that certain diseases, such as trachoma, resulted in almost automatic deportation due to their contagiousness. Disabilities, regardless of skill level or employability, could also lead to deportation.
The consequences extended beyond the deportee; families who awaited their arrival and depended on their income suffered as well. In Severio’s case, instead of being sent back to his wife and son in Italy, he was returned to Argentina, where his work permit had expired, leaving him stranded with little or no resources or support. Graham notes that Severio likely used the last of his funds to secure passage to New York, making deportation even more devastating as it stranded him far from both his family and his h ...
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Immigration: Birds of Passage, Deportation, and Patterns
Additional Materials
Clarifications
- "Birds of passage" refers to migrants who move temporarily to another country for work without intending to settle permanently. They often maintain strong ties to their home country, frequently returning or sending money back. This term highlights a cyclical migration pattern rather than permanent relocation. It contrasts with immigrants who aim for long-term settlement.
- Ellis Island was the primary federal immigration station in the United States from 1892 to 1954. It served as the entry point where immigrants underwent medical and legal inspections to determine their eligibility to enter the country. The facility processed millions of immigrants, making it a symbol of American immigration. Those who failed inspections were detained or deported, while most were allowed to continue to their new lives in America.
- In immigration law, a "public charge" is a person likely to become primarily dependent on government assistance for subsistence. This can include reliance on cash welfare, long-term institutional care, or other public benefits. Being deemed a public charge can lead to denial of entry or deportation. The rule aims to prevent immigrants who might require extensive public support from entering or remaining in the country.
- Trachoma is a contagious bacterial eye infection that can cause blindness if untreated. It was highly feared in the early 20th century due to its potential to spread rapidly in crowded immigrant communities. U.S. immigration officials deported individuals with trachoma to prevent outbreaks and protect public health. Medical inspections at Ellis Island aimed to exclude those with contagious diseases like trachoma.
- In the early 20th century, U.S. immigration policies aimed to control the quality and health of incoming migrants to protect public welfare and labor markets. Ellis Island served as the primary federal immigration station where officials conducted medical inspections to identify contagious diseases and disabilities. Immigrants with certain illnesses or conditions were often denied entry to prevent public health risks and reduce potential economic burdens. These inspections reflected broader social attitudes linking health, morality, and economic productivity to immigration eligibility.
- In the early 20th century, rapid industrialization in the U.S. created high demand for labor in factories, steel mills, coal mines, and railroads. These jobs were often low-paying, physically demanding, and required little formal education, attracting many immigrants seeking work. Economic downturns in Europe and limited opportunities at home pushed migrants to seek these industrial jobs abroad. Immigrant labor was essential to fueling America's economic growth during this period.
- After World War I, Italy faced economic hardship, social unrest, and political instability. The rise of fascism under Mussolini created fear and uncertainty for many Italians. Land shortages and poor agricultural conditions pushed rural populations to seek better opportunities abroad. These factors combine ...
Counterarguments
- While the "birds of passage" phenomenon was significant, a large proportion of immigrants did ultimately settle permanently in the U.S., suggesting that the traditional one-way immigration narrative still applies to many cases.
- The 2% deportation rate at Ellis Island, though traumatic for those affected, indicates that the vast majority of immigrants were admitted, which could be seen as evidence of relatively open immigration policies for the era.
- Some public health and economic concerns behind deportation policies reflected prevailing attitudes and knowledge of the time, and were not unique to the U.S.; many countries imposed similar restrictions to protect public welfare.
- Remittances sent by temporary migrants, while providing stabil ...
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