Ellis Island By mrweberkcms Jan 1, 1890 Congress chooses Ellis Island as the site for New York’s federal immigration station. Period: Jan 1, 1890 to Jan 1, 1966 Ellis Island Jan 1, 1891 The Immigration Act of 1891 creates the federal Bureau of immigration, which sets up inspection system. Jan 1, 1892 The immigration station opens on Ellis Island on January 1. Jan 1, 1897 A mysterious fire destroys the immigration station on June 14. Jan 1, 1900 The Ellis Island immigration station reopens on December 17. Jan 1, 1907 Almost 900,000 immigrants pass through Ellis Island. Jan 1, 1917 The immigration act of 1917 requires all immigrants 16 years and older to be able to read in their native language. Jan 1, 1921 Quota Law of 1921 limits immigration to 357,803 per year, with no more than 155,000 from southern and eastern Europe. Jan 1, 1924 The Immigration Act of 1924 limits immigration to 164,677 per year, following fewer than 25,000 from southern and eastern Europe. Jan 1, 1954 The Ellis Island immigration station closes in November. Jan 1, 1965 President Lyndon Johnson makes Ellis Island apart of the Statue of Liberty National Monument.