Final answer:
The claim that most New Immigrants were skilled laborers is false. These immigrants from southern and eastern Europe, unlike their predecessors from western and northern Europe, typically arrived with fewer skills and ended up in lower-wage jobs. The influx of skilled immigrants increased in the early 2000s, and there's advocacy for more skilled labor through immigration reform.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement that most of the New Immigrants were skilled laborers such as medical professionals and scientists is false. In the late nineteenth century, many immigrants coming into the United States from southern and eastern Europe were not as affluent or skilled as their Western and northern European counterparts. They often sought opportunities and employment in the low-wage labor market, which did not typically require advanced skills or higher education.
Ellis Island was indeed the first destination for most southern and eastern European immigrants during this time. While there was an influx of both highly educated and less educated immigrants in the early 2000s, it is important to note that back in the late nineteenth century, the trend was different. These earlier immigrants were less likely to be skilled professionals and did not easily find well-paying jobs.
Further, during times of economic downturn, such as the recession of 2008, immigrants, especially those without legal status, were often found struggling in low-paying jobs with limited opportunities for improvement. Contemporary debates on immigration reform often highlight the potential benefits of bringing more skilled workers into the country to meet labor demands, reflecting a shift in attitudes towards high-skilled immigration.