As much as you might like her, your friend is still a stranger you met only a few weeks ago. You are not about to risk being deported or arrested to help her. You stare straight ahead and continue forward. Soon the time comes when you are sent towards a long stairway descending down. Your friend and others with similar chalk markings are sent ahead down a long hallway. You don't know this, but they are heading to the detention room where they will be further examined. Most, like your friend, will pass on to New York. An unlucky few will be immediately sent back to Europe.
For you, your ordeal is not yet complete. You must now pass a seres of six medical examinations. One doctor makes you place your palms firmly on the desk and inspects the color of your nails.
Another listens to your lungs and heart.
The worst was the buttonhook test, although you didn't know what it was called then. A doctor takes a small hook and opens your eyelid looking for inflamed and watery eyes. You later will learn that they are looking for trachoma a highly infectious disease of the eyes.
You find yourself in the Great Room, with high ceiling and large bright windowns. You present your passport and ship papers to a stern looking official who barks out question after question. Since you don't understand a word of English a Yiddish interpreter is called for you.
'Why have you come to the United States?'
'Do you have a job?'
'Do you have family here?'
'Have you ever been arrested?'
'Have you ever been in an insane asylum?'
'Can you read and write?'
Having passed the medical examinations you are sent into a new line and down the Stairway of Separation where you enter the Great Hall at Ellis Island for more processing.
You notice those with the chalk markings are being sent into a different direction. Your friend from the ship is among them. They march straight ahead for the detention rooms. Some of these people will be returned to Europe.
The last inspector asks you to show that you have the necessary $20 so that you will not be considered a burden for your new country. You reach into the inside pocket of your coat and produce a small wallet full of coins. Satisified that you have passed all of the necessary requirements he passes you on to board the ferry that will take you to Mahattan. Congratulations you have made it to America.
Out on the busy streets of Manhattan a throng of people crowd past you. Everyone seemed to be in such a hurry. Never before have you seen so many people in one place. You have relatives somewhere in New York City. You hardly know them but they have invited you to stay with them.