Sammy Goldman, the 16 year old Jewish boy against whose deportation Governor Smith and the New York State legislature protested was examined again by a board of psychiatrists at Ellis Island. After tests which lasted for three hours, the Board decided that the boy was feeble minded.
Dr. Mark A. May, a psychiatrist at Syracuse University who appeared before the board in the boy’s behalf said that Sammy’s voice “had a squeak in it” and his eyes were dull. “His personality unfortunately is against him” Dr. May said. “If I could put a bag over his head and let him talk, I believe he would pass the test. I believe if he had the schooling opportunity his intelligence would be higher, and for this reason I cannot regard him as a mental defective.”
Commissioner of Immigration Todd declared following the hearing that in view of the Board’s finding, he had no alternative except to again recommend that the boy be deported.
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