Ellis Island: The Gateway That Made America

Just across the harbor stands Ellis Island — a place that holds the soul of the American story. More than a historic site, it is a symbol of hope, courage, and the belief that a better life is possible.

Over 12 million immigrants passed through its doors, not simply to seek refuge, but to build a future — and, in doing so, to help shape a nation. Ellis Island was not just a port of entry; it was a threshold of transformation. Here, dreams met opportunity, and America became a nation not of one people, but of all people.

President Ronald Reagan once said:

“You can go to live in France, but you cannot become a Frenchman. You can go to live in Japan, but you cannot become Japanese. But anyone, from any corner of the world, can come to America and become an American.”

That truth — the idea that American identity is not bound by blood or birthright, but by shared ideals and contributions — is both powerful and uniquely ours. And nowhere is that truth more deeply felt than at Ellis Island.

As Reagan also reminded us:

“They came here, many of them with nothing, and they built families, businesses, communities. They worked hard, believed in freedom, and they gave back far more than they ever took.”

That legacy is alive today. It lives in the stories of those we honor each year — immigrants and their descendants who continue to enrich our culture, advance our industries, strengthen our democracy, and lift our nation higher. Their lives remind us that Ellis Island was not the end of the journey, but the beginning.

President Reagan envisioned America as a “shining city upon a hill,” one that was “teeming with people of all kinds, living in harmony and peace… with walls that had doors — doors open to anyone with the will and the heart to get here.”

Ellis Island was one of those doors. And it remains a powerful reminder of what this country stands for when we are at our best.

At the Ellis Island Honors Society, we are proud to be stewards of this legacy. We exist to keep these stories alive, to honor those who embody the immigrant spirit, and to ensure that America never forgets the strength that comes from its diversity.

Join Us in Keeping the Light On

In a time when the conversation around immigration is often divisive, our mission has never been more important. We invite you to stand with us — to share your family’s story, support our programs, attend our events, or become a part of our growing community of citizens who believe in the enduring promise of Ellis Island.

Let us keep the doors open.

Let us keep telling the stories.

Let us keep the light shining from this hill — for all the world to see.

~ Chairman Nasser J. Kazeminy

Ellis Island Honors Society