Above is a group of immigrants awaiting medical examination at Ellis Island.  The examinations would make or break their future in America.  C. 1880-1920

Above is a newspaper article from C. 1902 that states how a Russian native who recently arrived to America looking for steady labor was instantly killed in a mining incident on his first day on the job.  With a surge of unskilled laborers there was little opportunity for steady jobs other than mining.

Men standing in the mine C. 1900 example of labor conditions for immigrants.