A demand that the United States Government admit political and religious refugees from Germany was made last night by Dr. Israel Goldstein, rabbi of Congregation B’nai Jeshurun and member of the Ellis Island Committee appointed by Secretary of Labor Frances Perkins. Rabbi Goldstein spoke over Station WEVD, under the auspices of the Nation Radiotorial Board.
Outlining various changes he considers necessary for ameliorating conditions at Ellis Island, and discussing phases of the general immigration situation, Dr. Goldstein declared that the Committee urges special consideration for refugees from political, racial and religious persecution.
“This country has been built up by immigrants who came here to escape oppression,” he said. “In the present emergency created by events in Germany, our country has yet to do its share. Thus far, we have admitted a smaller number of German victims than even little Belgium or Holland. Yet without changing any quota restriction, we can admit as many as 25,000 immigrants from Germany.
“It is a matter of instructing the American consuls abroad to extend every possible consideration, within the quote limit, to those victims who are seeking asylum in our shores. To do so would be doing nothing more than to uphold an American tradition and to fulfill a moral obligation which rests upon us today.”
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