Immigration authorities started a closed hearing today on the petition for American citizenship of Dr. Edward Sittler, the American-born professor who gave up his U.S. citizenship in 1939 to become a member of the Nazi Party in Germany and eventually a Nazi radio broadcaster during World War II. Dr, Sittler resigned yesterday from his post of assistant professor at Long Island University following protests against his appointment.
Senator Jacob K. Javits, New York Republican, said today that his investigation of the presence in this country of Dr. Sittler is continuing. Sen. Javits said immigration authorities have informed him of the circumstances of the original deportation order for Dr. Sittler but he has not yet received an explanation of how Sittler was able to re-enter the country in 1954.
Dr. Sittler, who served Hitler’s propaganda machine in Berlin during World War II, was brought after the war to Washington by the government as a witness in a treason case. He sought to remain here, departed briefly under a deportation order, and then returned. Leaders of six veterans organizations have demanded the Immigration and Naturalization Service carefully investigate.
JTA has documented Jewish history in real-time for over a century. Keep our journalism strong by joining us in supporting independent, award-winning reporting.
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.