Roosevelt Says Refugee Contributions to U.S. Have Justified Policy of Asylum

Declaring that the “satisfying adjustments made by many refugees who have been admitted to our country in recent years are an encouraging demonstration of the essential soundness of our polish of asylum to those oppressed for reasons of race, religion or political belief,” President Roosevelt today sent greetings to the annual conference of the National Refugee Service, which will be held January 21, at the Hotel Commodore.

In a letter to Charles A. Riegelman, president of the NRS, the President wrote “Among them (the refugees) are many who have joined our armed forces, and many scholars, scientists and professional people who have made substantial contributions to the war efforts.” He paid tribute to the National Refugee Service for helping to facilitate adjustment of the refugees, adding that “these invaluable services should be continued so long as they may be required.”