In 1903 (the year the poem was mounted to the base of the statue) the US denied entry to 5812 hopeful immigrants because….
wait for it….
They were at risk for “becoming a public charge”.
So much for the poor, the homeless and the wretched refuse. The US has been turning away people who cannot self support for well over 130 years. Beginning in 1882 the US barred entry to “idiots, lunatics, convicts, and persons likely to become a public charge.”
Did you know:
In 1903 (the year the poem was mounted to the base of the statue) the US denied entry to 5812 hopeful immigrants because….
wait for it….
They were at risk for “becoming a public charge”.
So much for the poor, the homeless and the wretched refuse. The US has been turning away people who cannot self support for well over 130 years. Beginning in 1882 the US barred entry to “idiots, lunatics, convicts, and persons likely to become a public charge.”