Before Ellis Island: immigration and Benjamin Harrison - Encore

<p dir="ltr">During a <a href= "https://hoosierhistorylive.org/mail/2018-07-07.html"><strong>show</strong></a> five years ago, Hoosier History Live explored the connections between Indiana and <strong><a href= "https://www.nps.gov/elis/index.htm">Ellis Island</a></strong>, the gateway to America for generations of immigrants. The receiving center for aspiring Americans in New York Harbor opened in 1892 during the administration of <strong><a href= "https://bhpsite.org/learn/benjamin-harrison/president/">President Benjamin Harrison</a></strong>, the only president elected from Indiana.</p> <p dir="ltr">As a kind of prequel to that show, in this encore of a program broadcast in <strong><a href= "https://hoosierhistorylive.org/mail/2022-07-23.html">July 2022</a></strong>, we delve into the immigration scenario that led the federal government to open Ellis Island, including controversies at its predecessor, <strong><a href= "http://www.castlegarden.org/">Castle Garden</a></strong> on lower Manhattan in New York City. The country's first official immigration center, Castle Garden, was operated by New York officials.</p> <p dir="ltr">We also will explore the <strong><a href= "https://www.archives.gov/milestone-documents/chinese-exclusion-act">Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882</a></strong>, which Harrison opposed as a <strong><a href= "https://constitutionallawreporter.com/great-american-biographies/benjamin-harrison/">U.S. senator from Indiana</a></strong>. The Chinese Exclusion Act, which suspended the immigration of skilled and unskilled Chinese laborers, passed without Harrison's support. According to Nelson's guest, Harrison was labeled the "pro-Chinese candidate" of the Republican Party in his presidential campaign of 1888.</p>