Final answer:
Prior to 1954, immigrants entering New York City had to go through Ellis Island, which was the main federal immigration station during that time.
Step-by-step explanation:
Prior to 1954, immigrants had to go to Ellis Island to enter New York City. Ellis Island was the primary federal immigration station in the United States from 1892 until 1954. It processed over 12 million immigrants during its years of operation. Those who arrived with a first or second class ticket could avoid the Ellis Island inspection through a cursory inspection onboard the ship. Meanwhile, most other immigrants underwent thorough screenings for health and legal issues at Ellis Island before they could enter New York. If an immigrant presented signs of infectious diseases or had a criminal background, they risked being denied entry into the United States.