Not like the brazen giant of Greek fame,
With conquering limbs astride from land to land;
Here at our sea-washed, sunset gates shall stand
A mighty woman with a torch, whose flame
Is the imprisoned lightning, and her name
Mother of Exiles. From her beacon-hand
The  Statue of Liberty  is found just off the coast of New York and Jersey, lying in  New York harbor . It is here the sea meets the shore and the metaphorical gates (the surrounding geography) which stand ready to let all who desire freedom in. 
 
 But a quick question :  Why does the foothold of liberty require gates?
The New Colossus