Closing the Golden Door

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Focusing on its historical significance, the book explores Ellis Island's dual role as a gateway for European immigrants and a site of detention and exclusion for Asian travelers. It highlights the experiences of Chinese, Japanese, and other Asian individuals who faced barriers upon arrival. Additionally, the narrative covers the station's operation as a detention camp and deportation center from 1924 to 1954, challenging the common perception of Ellis Island solely as a symbol of opportunity and the "great American melting pot."