Asking for “a wise administration of the immigration laws,” Congressman Samuel Dickstein, chairman of the House Immigration Committee, today urged President Roosevelt to modify the Hoover immigration regulations in order to permit the entry “under proper safeguards”, of refugees suffering from religious and racial persecution.
The Hoover immigration orders, Congressman Dickstein advised the President, were without the authority of Congress. He said they had resulted in the separation of thousands of American families. Under the regulations, Congressman Dickstein charged, the United States consuls have become virtual monarchs in immigration matters.
The law itself, he said, contemplated keeping prospective paupers out of the country. The admission of German refugees would not be contrary to this end, he declared.
He urged that “religious refugees, scientists, skilled artisans, businessmen and others who would be assets instead of liabilities to America, even during the depression,” be admitted to this country.
“Between the Hitler persecutions and our own short-sighted immigration policies, America is losing an opportunity of securing some of the most civilized and cultural influences in the world,” Congressman Dickstein declared.
The New York congressman recommended that President Roosevelt “cut the red tape” so that some thousand Jewish children, orphaned by religious and political persecutions, may be brought here for adoption.
Some 75,000 Germans entitled to enter this country under the immigration restrictions, have been denied entry under the Hoover regulations, he asserted. He pointed out that many of these prospective immigrants have families in this country and that the regulations are keeping members of families apart.
The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.
