Ickes Discusses Possibilities for Refugees at Fort Ontario to Remain in U.S.

Secretary of the Interior Harold Ickes today assured the refugees held at Fort Ontario that he “will continue to discuss with other departments and government agencies concerned the possibilty of arranging procedures under which those of you who may wish to become citizens or residents of the United States might be allowed to do so.”

The Secretary also said that he will continue to explore every possiblity for helping those who wish to return to Europe to secure transportation to their homelands as soon as possible. Of the 982 refugees originally brought to Fort Ontario, 67 have already voluntarily returned to their native lands or emigrated to other countries. Still another group is expected to be repatriated during this month.

Joseph H. Smart, former director of the refugee shelter at Fort Ontario and now head of the Friends of Fort Ontario Guests-Refugees, today announced that his group has secured the endorsement by Governor Thomas E. Dewey of New York of the following proposals advanced by the organization:

1. Give the Fort Ontario refugees immediate freedom of movement and residence in the United States.

2. Give them equal opportunities with other prospective immigrants for legal entry into the country under existing national quotas.

3. The government should adopt the policy that no refugee should be repatriated against his will.

In endorsing these proposals, Gov. Dewey emphasized that the refugees at Fort Onterio must be given equal opportunities with other applicants for immigration. “America must always remain the haven of the oppressed, particularly in these times when people have fought our enemies in their own homelands,” the Governor said. “Their plight calls for prompt and generous action by our own government.”