Skip to Main Content

Issue Areas

  • Education Clearing pathways to a meaningful education
  • Environment Building solutions at the intersection of climate innovation and environmental justice
  • Health Accelerating cancer research and empowering patients
  • Immigration Helping aspiring Americans and new immigrants succeed
  • Media & Journalism Provoking thought and strengthening democracy
  • Equity & Justice Elevating leaders and models at the forefront of change
  • Bloomhouse Co-creating a thriving East Palo Alto with the community
  • Chicago CRED Creating real economic destiny in Chicago
  • E Pluribus Unum Building a more just, equitable, and inclusive South
  • XQ: The Super School Project Rethinking America's high schools

About Emerson

  • About Us A letter from Laurene Powell Jobs
  • Our Team Meet the members of the Collective
  • Our Fellowships Amplifying extraordinary voices
  • Careers Join the Collective

Share this page

  • facebook
  • twitter
  • linkedin

ELLIS Recalls America's History of Immigration

Media, and Immigration

Posted September 2017

JR's haunting film captures the history and humanity of Ellis Island, the gateway to America for millions of immigrants.

ELLIS tells the forgotten story of these immigrants who built America while questioning about those who currently seek the same opportunities and safety in this country and other parts of the world.

For years Ellis Island was the gateway to the United States for millions of immigrants—people who left their pasts behind them to flee poverty, violence, discrimination, war, and famine. In the shadow of the Statue of Liberty, where thousands of men, women and children awaited their fate. The short film starring Robert De Niro, written by Eric Roth, and directed by JR, awakens America’s collective memory—and reminds us that today’s immigrants are no different.

The full-length 14-minute film is available for free on iTunes. Watch it now.

Connected Stories

  • Hard Decisions: Migration’s Complex Calculus

    Immigration
  • Family Portrait: José Rafael Patiño

    In 2021 in America, this is what a family looks like. Meet José Patiño, a Dreamer from a mixed-status family in Arizona.

    Immigration
  • What You Need to Know About Pathways to Citizenship in Congress Right Now

    On his first day in office, President Biden announced the US Citizenship Act, which would overhaul our immigration system and create a path to citizenship for most undocumented immigrants.

    Immigration

From Our Network

  • The California Dignity for Families Fund

    The fund aims to raise an initial $20 million to help migrant families and unaccompanied children at the U.S.-Mexico border receive urgent humanitarian relief and assistance as they request asylum and resettle in communities throughout the state.

    gcir.org

Stay Informed

Join our mailing list and follow us on social.

Email address is not valid. Email addresses should follow the format user@domain.com and must originate from a valid domain.

You may unsubscribe at any time. By submitting information, you accept our Privacy Policy.

  • facebook
  • twitter
  • instagram
  • linkedin

Copyright © 2022 Emerson Collective

  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
  • Unsolicited Submission Policy
  • Fraudulent Requests