According to "Island of Hope, Island of Tears" immigrants were held at Ellis Island's hospital complex as a result of them having a mild physical illness upon their arrival in America.
Step-by-step explanation:
'Island of Hope, Island of Tears' is a novel written by David Brownstone which is based on a true story of millions of people who left their homeland for new opportunities. The novel depicts the story of immigrants who traveled to America leaving their homeland during the late 1800's.
After a lot of hardships, when immigrants arrived in America through Ellis Island, many of them were suffering from some or the other physical illness. And which is why they were taken to the Ellis Island's hospital for their treatment.