Races, Immigration: United States. New York. New York City. Immigration Station: Regulation of Immigration at the Port of Entry. United States Immigrant Station, New York City: On the Railroad Floor. These Immigrants Have Been Admitted And Are Waiting to Depart To Their Several Destinations. c. 1903

Curator: This photograph by J.H. Adams captures a group of immigrants at the New York City Immigration Station. It's titled, "On the Railroad Floor. These Immigrants Have Been Admitted and Are Waiting to Depart To Their Several Destinations." Editor: There's such a palpable sense of anticipation mixed with weariness in their faces. It's a really striking image, almost cinematic in its composition. Curator: Indeed. Adams’ work during this era provides valuable insights into the experiences of marginalized groups, and this photograph becomes a powerful document of early 20th-century immigration. It speaks to the intersectional identities of these individuals. Editor: And the institutional setting, that implied 'railroad floor' as the text says, shaped these newcomers’ experiences dramatically. It's a stark reminder of the political and social forces at play. Curator: Exactly. Considering the politics of imagery at that time helps to create space for critical dialogue, challenging dominant historical narratives. Editor: It leaves me pondering the complexities of migration and belonging and it makes me appreciate the work that still needs to be done.