Between 1880 and 1910, millions of immigrants came to the United States seeking opportunities and fleeing hardships. Push factors in their home countries included famine in Ireland and crop failures and unrest in Europe and Mexico. Pull factors attracting them to America were land offered through the Homestead Act, abundant factory jobs, and freedoms like religious liberty. Immigrants faced difficult transatlantic journeys and were often housed in poor conditions below ship decks. Upon arrival, they underwent medical and legal inspections at Ellis Island before dispersing to cities, where many lived in ethnic enclaves to maintain their traditions as they assimilated to American culture. However, nativism and discrimination against new immigrants remained problems.