811.111 Refugees/260
The Assistant Secretary of State (Long) to President Roosevelt 74
My Dear Mr. President: Secretary Hull has asked me to present to you the proposal to modify slightly the procedure we have followed in regard to recommendations from the President’s Advisory Committee on Political Refugees.
Under the system that has been in operation since July 26 the Committee has satisfied itself as to various persons who were in the category of “political, intellectual or other refugees” in special peril in Europe. Having come to its own conclusion the Committee has recommended names. Their list is sent to the Department of Justice for checking against the files in that Department, and the list is then checked against our own records in order to determine whether or not there is any information in this country to indicate that the persons recommended would be undesirable as residents. Under the procedure we have then cabled to our officers abroad more or less mandatory instructions to grant visas to those persons.
There has come to the attention of the Department substantial evidence to indicate that a number of the persons who have been passed in this manner have had records of activity abroad which indicate that their activities here would not be in entire accord with our policy and that for other reasons they were not properly within the category of intellectual leaders of the liberal movement in Europe and in imminent danger. It is reported to us that there are a number of persons who our officers abroad feel are not of the desirable element and against whom there is evident ground for doubt as to the propriety of their admissibility.
For instance, a German citizen recommended by the President’s Committee who had resided in Paris for sixteen years was suspect to our officers because of various circumstances in her past activity. The question was raised as to whether she would be able to proceed to any country outside of the United States at the expiration of the temporary visitor’s visa. She shortly returned to the Consulate with a letter from the German Legation in Lisbon stating that she would be able to return to Germany at the end of the period. On the face of it she was either not a refugee and in imminent danger or she was acting in the interests of the German Government.
Another instance was that of two French citizens who were recommended by the Committee and sponsored by substantial banking houses in this country. Under the existing procedure they obtained their visas in spite of the fact that certain documents which they ordinarily should [Page 239] have had were lacking. It subsequently appeared that their interests were in two Panamerican holding companies which it might be suggested were formed to avoid American legal requirements and control by the S. E. C.75
These are simply two of a number of instances which have been brought to the attention of the Department.
Under the circumstances we feel that in the interests of our national defense a more careful check should be made abroad by our officers in Europe of the persons whose names we send to them on the recommendation of the President’s Advisory Committee. We feel that a more careful examination of the individuals abroad would contribute largely to closing the loopholes against the penetration of German agents or the use of the courtesy and hospitality of the United States for ulterior purposes.
I am attaching a letter76 drafted for the signature of the Secretary addressed to Mr. McDonald, Chairman of the President’s Advisory Committee on Political Refugees, indicating the change of procedure which the Department feels it desirable and advisable to adopt. The Secretary felt that you should be cognizant of it and, if you agree, give the matter contained in the letter your approval in as much as it was directed to the members of your Committee.
In closing may I say that since July 26 and up to September 17 we have authorized 2,583 visas over and above the quota (not including visas granted to children in Great Britain). This number was largely made up of:
- a)
- A list of the American Federation of Labor, guaranteed by William Green, and consisting of labor leaders and their families to the number of 1, 131. This list has been closed, and Mr. Green will not ask for any more.
- b)
- Two lists of Jewish Rabbis, alleged leaders of the intellectual thought of the Jewish religion and leading exponents of the Talmudic schools and colleges together with their families. One list consisted of 156 and another of 576 names. These lists have been closed and no further names are to be accepted.
- c)
- The President’s Advisory Committee on Political Refugees has submitted 561. These names are being augmented by a considerable number every week.
Considering that the other lists have been closed and that by this time most of the outstanding leaders of the liberal movement in Europe must have had their names on one or the other of these lists, it seems to us reasonable and desirable that the list of the President’s Advisory Committee be closed for unlimited recommendation—except that names of refugees in imminent danger who are intellectual leaders of [Page 240] the liberal movement in Europe may continue to be presented by the Committee. This would continue the function of the Committee to pass upon outstanding intellectual refugees. Other refugees would apply in the usual manner to our Consuls, and the usual precaution would be taken in the future.
It seems that our Consular officers abroad who are on the ground and who have access to information which we do not have and who come in contact with the persons should be able to exercise their judgment as to whether or not the person desiring to come to the United States is, as a matter of fact, within the category you had in mind in setting up the President’s Advisory Committee on Political Refugees.
In brief, it seems to us that there should be in the future some latitude of judgment left to our Consular officers abroad rather than to send them mandatory instructions from here to admit persons who are known to very few people in this country and about whom there is no record here of their past activity.
If you approve the proposal, I shall be very glad to advise the Secretary so that he may sign the letter.
Faithfully yours,