Memorandum Regarding Plans for the Reception and Handling of Refugees
7/27/1944
Add to Favorites:
Add all page(s) of this document to activity:
Add only page 1 to activity:
Add only page 2 to activity:
Add only page 3 to activity:
Add only page 4 to activity:
Add only page 5 to activity:
Add only page 6 to activity:
John Provinse, Acting Director of the War Relocation Authority, sent this memo to Abe Fortas, Under Secretary of the Interior (and later Supreme Court Justice). It details plans for the processing and taking in of European refugees who were arriving at Oswego, New York, and who were to be housed at the Fort Ontario Emergency Refugee Center during World War II.
The 982 European refugees arrived in early August by train from a ship in New York harbor. Plans included providing interpreters, setting up a registration area, explaining housing assignments and the public dining hall, and holding a welcome ceremony to which the media was invited.
The refugees entered the United States outside of immigration quotas with the status of temporary "guests." They were not permitted to leave the camp during their stay, and were required to return to their home countries or another location after the war.
The 982 European refugees arrived in early August by train from a ship in New York harbor. Plans included providing interpreters, setting up a registration area, explaining housing assignments and the public dining hall, and holding a welcome ceremony to which the media was invited.
The refugees entered the United States outside of immigration quotas with the status of temporary "guests." They were not permitted to leave the camp during their stay, and were required to return to their home countries or another location after the war.
This primary source comes from the Records of the Office of the Secretary of the Interior .
National Archives Identifier: 176892563
Full Citation: Memorandum to Abe Fortas Regarding a Report Concerning Plans for the Reception and Handling of Refugees at the Port of Entry and at Oswego; 7/27/1944; 1-5 Refugees (Pt. 1); Central Classified Files, 1907 - 1972; Records of the Office of the Secretary of the Interior , Record Group 48; National Archives at College Park, College Park, MD. [Online Version, https://docsteach.org/documents/document/wra-memo-fort-ontario, April 23, 2024]Rights: Public Domain, Free of Known Copyright Restrictions. Learn more on our privacy and legal page.