Final answer:
The question may refer to a confusion with the name Frank Boas, which does not match known historical figures associated with Ellis Island. Ellis Island was crucial in U.S. immigration history, where wealthier passengers received less rigorous inspections than those in steerage. Angel Island was a counterpart for immigrants arriving on the West Coast.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question seems to be inquiring about the historical figure Frank Boas and his connection to Ellis Island. However, there may be a confusion in the question since Frank Boas is not a recognized historical figure in conjunction with Ellis Island. Instead, the context provided is about the significance of Ellis Island in American immigration history, particularly during its peak operational years from 1892 to 1954. Ellis Island served as a federal immigration station where millions of immigrants arrived in the United States.
Key points to consider in the broader topic of Ellis Island include the process by which first and second class ticket holders were inspected on board their ships, thus avoiding the more rigorous inspections at Ellis Island itself, attributed to the assumption that wealthier passengers were less likely to become financial burdens on the state. In contrast, immigrants in steerage, who could not afford higher-class tickets, faced thorough inspections upon arrival at Ellis Island.
This practice reflects the historical U.S. immigration policies and socio-economic biases of the time. Another important aspect is that different immigration processing centers, such as Angel Island in San Francisco Bay, performed similar functions on the West Coast for Asian immigrants.