I'm specifically interested in Polish immigration, and some research I've done indicates that there may have been some prejudice towards Polish people on the part of some inspectors. I've read one account of women being forced to strip to the waist in full view of everyone, and of sometimes harsh treatment of Poles in general by some inspectors. But I would like to know more, if anyone can help.
They were asked a lot of personal details about their past life and future plans. Questions were usually about 30 and could range from political views, how much money they used to earn and how much they would expect, average diet, who and when paid for their tickets, etc..
In this video there's a woman who talks about her Polish grandmother arriving to Ellis Island from Poland https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eH2hllmZdRg
Try to visit the Ellis Island museum, it gives you a complete view of the register process. The staff is really nice and helpful