Port of Galveston immigration Port of Galveston immigration The Port of Galveston, in Galveston, Texas, was the gateway for tens of thousands of immigrants to the Southwest of United States as an immigrant inspection station. The immigration station located in Galveston brought a vast number of immigrants into the Southwest of the United States while it was in operation from when it opened in 1906 until it closed. Although not as well known as the immigration station on Ellis Island, Galveston is probably best known for the influx of Jewish immigrants coming from Europe during this period, which is commonly referred to as the
History of Galveston, Texas feet near the Bay (1904–1910). Despite attempts to draw new investment to the city after the hurricane, Galveston has never fully returned to its previous levels of national importance or prosperity. Development was also hindered by the construction of the Houston Ship Channel, which brought the Port of Houston into direct competition with the natural harbor of the Port of Galveston for sea traffic. To further her recovery, and rebuild her population, Galveston actively solicited immigration. Through the efforts of Rabbi Henry Cohen and Congregation B'nai Israel, Galveston became the focus of an immigration plan called the Galveston Movement that,