Immigration ‑ Videos

History Shorts: The Revolving Doors of Ellis Island

Ellis Island is known in history as a place that welcomed America’s immigrants, but for a time, it also pushed them away.

Immigrants at Ellis Island

An estimated 40% of Americans are descended from people who passed through the Ellis Island immigration station during its six decades of operation. But what was the immigration process like?

How the Cold War Contributed to the Modern Central American Migrant Crisis

For decades migrants from Central America have fled their homes from corruption, crime, poverty and violence to seek a better life in the United States. One of the major causes of such strife? The Cold War.

U.S. Immigration Since 1965

What does an American look like? Evolving immigration policies in 1965 would lead to ever‑changing answers.

History of San Francisco’s Chinatown

After the 1906 earthquake destroyed the city, plans to rebuild didn’t include a place for Chinese immigrants. Faced with the prospect of resettling to Oakland, Look Tin Eli employed white architects to create an even grander Chinatown.

Spanish Ranchers Bring Cattle to Texas

Until the Spanish arrived in the Southwest, there wasn’t a single cow in America, but within decades their ranching efforts result in over 3 million longhorn cows roaming the Texas grasslands.

The Irish in Boston

Trace the journey of Boston’s Irish population from poverty to power, spearheaded by one man’s determination to see justice for his community, in this bonus scene from “America: Promised Land.”

The French in New Orleans

How long does Mardi Gras last? How many beads get thrown every year? Learn the facts and figures behind the big festivities in the Big Easy.

U.S. Immigration Before 1965

For over 60 years, Ellis Island was the gateway for millions of Americans to the United States. Explore the legacy of this symbol of American immigration.

This Day in History Video: What Happened on November 12