1. Detention and Internment: During the war, Ellis Island was used as a detention and internment facility for individuals suspected of having ties to enemy nations. This included German, Italian, and Japanese immigrants and residents who were deemed a potential security risk. The facility provided temporary housing and interrogation for these individuals until their status was determined.
2. Coast Guard Base: Ellis Island also functioned as a base for the United States Coast Guard during World War II. The Coast Guard used the island's facilities to train personnel, coordinate patrols, and protect coastal waters from potential enemy attacks. The island's strategic location in New York Harbor made it an ideal base for the Coast Guard to carry out its wartime duties.
After World War II, Ellis Island resumed its primary role as an immigration station until it was officially closed in 1954. The island was later transformed into a museum dedicated to the history of immigration in the United States.