Italian Immigration to America: From Ellis Island to Today

Italian immigration to America has a rich and multifaceted history that spans centuries, leaving a profound impact on the United States. As someone who has lived in Rome for 40 years and deeply identifies with both my Italian and American roots, it's fascinating to explore the stories of immigrants, particularly Italians, and how they shaped American society. In this post, I’ll share some insights into the experiences, challenges, and successes of Italian immigrants—from their journeys to America to their integration into the American way of life.

A Personal Connection to Immigration

Italian immigration to America - Statue of Liberty

Living in Italy for four decades, I’ve come to realize that I am, in fact, an immigrant myself. This got me thinking about the words we use to describe people who leave their home country. Terms like "expat" and "immigrant" often get thrown around, but they carry distinct meanings. Expats typically live abroad temporarily by choice, while immigrants often settle permanently, driven by necessity. It's important to acknowledge the privilege and hardship these words can imply.

The Early Days of Italian Immigration to America

Italian immigration to America didn’t begin with the massive waves of the late 19th century. Even in the early days of American history, Italian artisans and craftsmen were making their mark. Thomas Jefferson, for instance, admired Italian culture and invited Italian stonemasons to help with his Monticello estate. These early Italian immigrants, known for their skills as sculptors, woodworkers, and musicians, contributed significantly to the cultural and architectural landscape of the United States.

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The Great Wave of Immigration: Late 19th and Early 20th Century

The real surge in Italian immigration to America began in the late 1800s and continued into the early 1900s. Over 4 million Italians came to the U.S. between 1880 and 1920, driven by extreme poverty, political instability, and natural disasters, particularly in southern Italy and Sicily. These immigrants were seeking a better life, and for many, America represented a fresh start and a chance for survival. Unlike earlier Italian immigrants who were often skilled artisans, the vast majority of these new arrivals were unskilled laborers, mostly from rural areas.

Many of these Italian immigrants intended to return to Italy after making some money, but a significant number ended up staying, building strong communities in cities like New York, Boston, and Pittsburgh. In fact, about a third of the Italian immigrants who arrived in the U.S. remained in New York City, forming tight-knit neighborhoods like Little Italy, where community and family were central.

The Ellis Island Experience

For most Italian immigrants, the journey to America began at Ellis Island, which has become iconic in the American immigration story. Ellis Island, or "L'Isola delle Lacrime" (the Island of Tears), earned its nickname because of the emotional toll it took on families. Many were separated due to failed health inspections, and some members were sent back to Italy while others stayed. It was a place of both hope and heartache.

Passing through Ellis Island wasn’t the end of the struggle, though—it was just the beginning. Italian immigrants had to navigate a completely foreign land, often without speaking English, and face the challenges of finding work, housing, and building new lives.

Life in Little Italy and Other Neighborhoods

Once they settled, many Italian immigrants chose to stay in close-knit neighborhoods like Little Italy in Manhattan’s Lower East Side. These neighborhoods mirrored the life they knew in their Italian villages, with a strong sense of community. Festivals, weddings, and religious celebrations helped keep their cultural identity alive, and even today, you’ll still see these traditions celebrated in Italian-American communities across the U.S.

Italian immigration to America - Mulberry Street NY — Italian-American policeman chatting with customers in a grocery store on Mulberry Street

However, life wasn’t easy. Many immigrants lived in cramped, unsanitary tenements where diseases like cholera and tuberculosis spread quickly. Despite these harsh conditions, Italian immigrants found work in labor-intensive fields like construction and factory work, playing a significant role in building the physical infrastructure of cities like New York. By 1890, almost 90% of laborers in New York’s public works department were Italian.

Struggles and Prejudice

It wasn’t just the physical hardships that Italian immigrants had to face; they also dealt with widespread prejudice. They were often stereotyped as criminals or anarchists, and in some cases, faced violence and discrimination. One of the darkest moments of this prejudice occurred in 1891 in New Orleans, where 11 Sicilian men were lynched after being falsely accused of murder.

Italian immigration to America - New Orleans — Italian American neighborhood, New Orleans, ca.1906

Despite the prejudice, Italian immigrants persevered and became an integral part of American society. They organized labor unions to fight for better working conditions and fair wages and contributed to several key labor movements, including the 1912 Lawrence textile strike. Through their determination, they helped pave the way for future generations of immigrants to find their place in America.

Italian Immigrants' Contributions to American Society

The contributions of Italian immigrants go far beyond labor and infrastructure. Their entrepreneurial spirit also made a lasting impact. Italian immigrants helped establish California's wine industry and were the first to plant the Sangiovese grape, while Italian-American A.P. Giannini founded the Bank of Italy in San Francisco, which eventually grew into Bank of America—one of the world’s largest financial institutions.

A Lasting Legacy

As I reflect on the incredible journey of Italian immigrants, I’m reminded of the resilience and hope that defined their experience. They came to America seeking a better life and, in doing so, helped shape the country we know today. Their stories are a reminder of the importance of understanding immigration through a historical lens, and how the contributions of immigrants enrich the fabric of a nation.

Next week, I’ll continue this conversation by diving deeper into how Italian immigrants became part of the American fabric, with a particular focus on the Italian enclaves in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, where I’m originally from. Be sure to check out my Substack newsletter this week for even more insights and stories on Italian immigrants in the U.S.