Regarding the immigration to the US of Holocaust survivors sequestered in DP camps, there is a jaw-dropping statement by President Truman from June 1948 that provides important context: https://tinyurl.com/y34yg5rt (full URL: https://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/documents/statement-the-president-upon-signing-the-displaced-persons-act)

The bill discriminates in callous fashion against displaced persons of the Jewish faith. This brutal fact cannot be obscured by the maze of technicalities in the bill or by the protestations of some of its sponsors.

It wasn't until the "Displaced Persons {Immigration} Act of 1950" that this was mitigated. 

And while we're here, in December 1946, then Senator Revercomb (R-WV), chairman of the Senate’s immigration subcommittee, explained why Congress refused to allow Jewish Holocaust survivors into the US: “Many of those who seek entrance into this country have little concept of our form of government. Many of them come from lands where Communism had its first growth and dominates the political thought and philosophy of the people.”   

In October 2015, then Senator Sessions (R-AL) stated: "In seven years we'll have the highest percentage of Americans, non-native born, since the founding of the Republic. Some people think we've always had these numbers, and it's not so, it's very unusual, it's a radical change. When the numbers reached about this high in 1924, the president and congress changed the policy, and it slowed down immigration significantly, we then assimilated through 1965 and created really the solid middle class of America, with assimilated immigrants, and it was good for America. We passed a law that went far beyond what anybody realized in 1965, and we're on a path to surge far past what the situation was in 1924."  

As Santayana taught us: Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.  

-Ittai Hershman

The IAJGS 2020 San Diego Conference is delighted to announce that the
Call for Proposals is now open! Deadline will be Wednesday, November
27, 2019!

If you wish to be considered as a speaker for this important conference
on Jewish Genealogy, please go to our website at: www.iajgs2020.org and
read our Call for Proposals to begin the submission process. While
covering all the major Jewish Genealogy topics that you've come to rely
on the IAJGS conferences for, we will also be looking for proposed
presentations which focus on the following hot topics:

1) A "Beginners" track for those who have never attended an IAJGS
conference before and who may or may not consider themselves new to
Jewish genealogy.
2) A "DNA" track to help all of us become better acquainted with the
immense insight that DNA is adding to the field of genealogy.
3) A "Heritage" track to help provide cultural context that both
inspires and enhances our genealogical explorations.
4) A "Shoah" track specifically to honor the memory of those who were
lost in the calamity of World War II.
5) A "Military" track -- With the US Naval Base San Diego just a few
blocks >from our convention, we hope to offer sessions which will
recognize military angles to Jewish genealogy, both >from the USA and
the rest of the world.
6) A "Latin America" track – Recognizing San Diego's proximity to
Central and South America and the need to find and understand our
relatives who live or lived south of the border.

All other subjects related to Jewish Genealogy and Genealogy in general,
will, of course, be considered.

See our web page at www.iajgs2020.org for more information.

Write to speakerhelp@iajgs2020.org or program@iajgs2020.org for answers
to questions about the submittal.

Best of luck >from all of us - and thank you!

Chuck Weinstein
Communications Director - IAJGS 40th Annual Conference on Jewish Genealogy

The IAJGS 2020 San Diego Conference is delighted to announce that the
Call for Proposals is now open! Deadline will be Wednesday, November
27, 2019!

If you wish to be considered as a speaker for this important conference
on Jewish Genealogy, please go to our website at: www.iajgs2020.org and
read our Call for Proposals to begin the submission process. While
covering all the major Jewish Genealogy topics that you've come to rely
on the IAJGS conferences for, we will also be looking for proposed
presentations which focus on the following hot topics:

1) A "Beginners" track for those who have never attended an IAJGS
conference before and who may or may not consider themselves new to
Jewish genealogy.
2) A "DNA" track to help all of us become better acquainted with the
immense insight that DNA is adding to the field of genealogy.
3) A "Heritage" track to help provide cultural context that both
inspires and enhances our genealogical explorations.
4) A "Shoah" track specifically to honor the memory of those who were
lost in the calamity of World War II.
5) A "Military" track -- With the US Naval Base San Diego just a few
blocks >from our convention, we hope to offer sessions which will
recognize military angles to Jewish genealogy, both >from the USA and
the rest of the world.
6) A "Latin America" track – Recognizing San Diego's proximity to
Central and South America and the need to find and understand our
relatives who live or lived south of the border.

All other subjects related to Jewish Genealogy and Genealogy in general,
will, of course, be considered.

See our web page at www.iajgs2020.org for more information.

Write to speakerhelp@iajgs2020.org or program@iajgs2020.org for answers
to questions about the submittal.

Best of luck >from all of us - and thank you!

Chuck Weinstein
Communications Director - IAJGS 40th Annual Conference on Jewish Genealogy

The IAJGS 2020 San Diego Conference is delighted to announce that the
Call for Proposals is now open! Deadline will be Wednesday, November
27, 2019!

If you wish to be considered as a speaker for this important conference
on Jewish Genealogy, please go to our website at: www.iajgs2020.org and
read our Call for Proposals to begin the submission process. While
covering all the major Jewish Genealogy topics that you've come to rely
on the IAJGS conferences for, we will also be looking for proposed
presentations which focus on the following hot topics:

1) A "Beginners" track for those who have never attended an IAJGS
conference before and who may or may not consider themselves new to
Jewish genealogy.
2) A "DNA" track to help all of us become better acquainted with the
immense insight that DNA is adding to the field of genealogy.
3) A "Heritage" track to help provide cultural context that both
inspires and enhances our genealogical explorations.
4) A "Shoah" track specifically to honor the memory of those who were
lost in the calamity of World War II.
5) A "Military" track -- With the US Naval Base San Diego just a few
blocks >from our convention, we hope to offer sessions which will
recognize military angles to Jewish genealogy, both >from the USA and
the rest of the world.
6) A "Latin America" track – Recognizing San Diego's proximity to
Central and South America and the need to find and understand our
relatives who live or lived south of the border.

All other subjects related to Jewish Genealogy and Genealogy in general,
will, of course, be considered.

See our web page at www.iajgs2020.org for more information.

Write to speakerhelp@iajgs2020.org or program@iajgs2020.org for answers
to questions about the submittal.

Best of luck >from all of us - and thank you!

Chuck Weinstein
Communications Director - IAJGS 40th Annual Conference on Jewish Genealogy

The IAJGS 2020 San Diego Conference is delighted to announce that the
Call for Proposals is now open! Deadline will be Wednesday, November
27, 2019!

If you wish to be considered as a speaker for this important conference
on Jewish Genealogy, please go to our website at: www.iajgs2020.org and
read our Call for Proposals to begin the submission process. While
covering all the major Jewish Genealogy topics that you've come to rely
on the IAJGS conferences for, we will also be looking for proposed
presentations which focus on the following hot topics:

1) A "Beginners" track for those who have never attended an IAJGS
conference before and who may or may not consider themselves new to
Jewish genealogy.
2) A "DNA" track to help all of us become better acquainted with the
immense insight that DNA is adding to the field of genealogy.
3) A "Heritage" track to help provide cultural context that both
inspires and enhances our genealogical explorations.
4) A "Shoah" track specifically to honor the memory of those who were
lost in the calamity of World War II.
5) A "Military" track -- With the US Naval Base San Diego just a few
blocks >from our convention, we hope to offer sessions which will
recognize military angles to Jewish genealogy, both >from the USA and
the rest of the world.
6) A "Latin America" track – Recognizing San Diego's proximity to
Central and South America and the need to find and understand our
relatives who live or lived south of the border.

All other subjects related to Jewish Genealogy and Genealogy in general,
will, of course, be considered.

See our web page at www.iajgs2020.org for more information.

Write to speakerhelp@iajgs2020.org or program@iajgs2020.org for answers
to questions about the submittal.

Best of luck >from all of us - and thank you!

Chuck Weinstein
Communications Director - IAJGS 40th Annual Conference on Jewish Genealogy

The IAJGS 2020 San Diego Conference is delighted to announce that the
Call for Proposals is now open!

The deadline for submissions will be Wednesday, November 27, 2019!

If you wish to be considered as a speaker for this important conference
on Jewish Genealogy, please go to our website at: www.iajgs2020.org and
read our Call for Proposals to begin the submission process. While
covering all the major Jewish Genealogy topics that you've come to rely
on the IAJGS conferences for, we will also be looking for proposed
presentations which focus on the following hot topics:

1) A "Beginners" track for those who have never attended an IAJGS
conference before and who may or may not consider themselves new to
Jewish genealogy.
2) A "DNA" track to help all of us become better acquainted with the
immense insight that DNA is adding to the field of genealogy.
3) A "Heritage" track to help provide cultural context that both
inspires and enhances our genealogical explorations.
4) A "Shoah" track specifically to honor the memory of those who were
lost in the calamity of World War II.
5) A "Military" track -- With the US Naval Base San Diego just a few
blocks >from our convention, we hope to offer sessions which will
recognize military angles to Jewish genealogy, both >from the USA and
the rest of the world.
6) A "Latin America" track – Recognizing San Diego's proximity to
Central and South America and the need to find and understand our
relatives who live or lived south of the border.

All other subjects related to Jewish Genealogy and Genealogy in general,
will, of course, be considered.

See our web page at www.iajgs2020.org for more information.

Write to speakerhelp@iajgs2020.org or program@iajgs2020.org for answers
to questions about the submittal.

Best of luck >from all of us - and thank you!

Chuck Weinstein
Communications Director - IAJGS 40th Annual Conference on Jewish Genealogy

The IAJGS 2020 San Diego Conference is delighted to announce that the
Call for Proposals is now open!

The deadline for submissions will be Wednesday, November 27, 2019!

If you wish to be considered as a speaker for this important conference
on Jewish Genealogy, please go to our website at: www.iajgs2020.org and
read our Call for Proposals to begin the submission process. While
covering all the major Jewish Genealogy topics that you've come to rely
on the IAJGS conferences for, we will also be looking for proposed
presentations which focus on the following hot topics:

1) A "Beginners" track for those who have never attended an IAJGS
conference before and who may or may not consider themselves new to
Jewish genealogy.
2) A "DNA" track to help all of us become better acquainted with the
immense insight that DNA is adding to the field of genealogy.
3) A "Heritage" track to help provide cultural context that both
inspires and enhances our genealogical explorations.
4) A "Shoah" track specifically to honor the memory of those who were
lost in the calamity of World War II.
5) A "Military" track -- With the US Naval Base San Diego just a few
blocks >from our convention, we hope to offer sessions which will
recognize military angles to Jewish genealogy, both >from the USA and
the rest of the world.
6) A "Latin America" track – Recognizing San Diego's proximity to
Central and South America and the need to find and understand our
relatives who live or lived south of the border.

All other subjects related to Jewish Genealogy and Genealogy in general,
will, of course, be considered.

See our web page at www.iajgs2020.org for more information.

Write to speakerhelp@iajgs2020.org or program@iajgs2020.org for answers
to questions about the submittal.

Best of luck >from all of us - and thank you!

Chuck Weinstein
Communications Director - IAJGS 40th Annual Conference on Jewish Genealogy

The IAJGS 2020 San Diego Conference is delighted to announce that the
Call for Proposals is now open! Deadline will be Wednesday, November
27, 2019!

If you wish to be considered as a speaker for this important conference
on Jewish Genealogy, please go to our website at: www.iajgs2020.org and
read our Call for Proposals to begin the submission process. While
covering all the major Jewish Genealogy topics that you've come to rely
on the IAJGS conferences for, we will also be looking for proposed
presentations which focus on the following hot topics:

1) A "Beginners" track for those who have never attended an IAJGS
conference before and who may or may not consider themselves new to
Jewish genealogy.
2) A "DNA" track to help all of us become better acquainted with the
immense insight that DNA is adding to the field of genealogy.
3) A "Heritage" track to help provide cultural context that both
inspires and enhances our genealogical explorations.
4) A "Shoah" track specifically to honor the memory of those who were
lost in the calamity of World War II.
5) A "Military" track -- With the US Naval Base San Diego just a few
blocks >from our convention, we hope to offer sessions which will
recognize military angles to Jewish genealogy, both >from the USA and
the rest of the world.
6) A "Latin America" track – Recognizing San Diego's proximity to
Central and South America and the need to find and understand our
relatives who live or lived south of the border.

All other subjects related to Jewish Genealogy and Genealogy in general,
will, of course, be considered.

See our web page at www.iajgs2020.org for more information.

Write to speakerhelp@iajgs2020.org or program@iajgs2020.org for answers
to questions about the submittal.

Best of luck >from all of us - and thank you!

Chuck Weinstein
Communications Director - IAJGS 40th Annual Conference on Jewish Genealogy

The IAJGS 2020 San Diego Conference is delighted to announce that the
Call for Proposals is now open! Deadline will be Wednesday, November
27, 2019!

If you wish to be considered as a speaker for this important conference
on Jewish Genealogy, please go to our website at: www.iajgs2020.org and
read our Call for Proposals to begin the submission process. While
covering all the major Jewish Genealogy topics that you've come to rely
on the IAJGS conferences for, we will also be looking for proposed
presentations which focus on the following hot topics:

1) A "Beginners" track for those who have never attended an IAJGS
conference before and who may or may not consider themselves new to
Jewish genealogy.
2) A "DNA" track to help all of us become better acquainted with the
immense insight that DNA is adding to the field of genealogy.
3) A "Heritage" track to help provide cultural context that both
inspires and enhances our genealogical explorations.
4) A "Shoah" track specifically to honor the memory of those who were
lost in the calamity of World War II.
5) A "Military" track -- With the US Naval Base San Diego just a few
blocks >from our convention, we hope to offer sessions which will
recognize military angles to Jewish genealogy, both >from the USA and
the rest of the world.
6) A "Latin America" track – Recognizing San Diego's proximity to
Central and South America and the need to find and understand our
relatives who live or lived south of the border.

All other subjects related to Jewish Genealogy and Genealogy in general,
will, of course, be considered.

See our web page at www.iajgs2020.org for more information.

Write to speakerhelp@iajgs2020.org or program@iajgs2020.org for answers
to questions about the submittal.

Best of luck >from all of us - and thank you!

Chuck Weinstein
Communications Director - IAJGS 40th Annual Conference on Jewish Genealogy

The IAJGS 2020 San Diego Conference is delighted to announce that the
Call for Proposals is now open!

The Submission deadline will be Wednesday, November 27, 2019!

If you wish to be considered as a speaker for this important conference
on Jewish Genealogy, please go to our website at: www.iajgs2020.org and
read our Call for Proposals to begin the submission process. While
covering all the major Jewish Genealogy topics that you've come to rely
on the IAJGS conferences for, we will also be looking for proposed
presentations which focus on the following hot topics:

1) A "Beginners" track for those who have never attended an IAJGS
conference before and who may or may not consider themselves new to
Jewish genealogy.
2) A "DNA" track to help all of us become better acquainted with the
immense insight that DNA is adding to the field of genealogy.
3) A "Heritage" track to help provide cultural context that both
inspires and enhances our genealogical explorations.
4) A "Shoah" track specifically to honor the memory of those who were
lost in the calamity of World War II.
5) A "Military" track -- With the US Naval Base San Diego just a few
blocks >from our convention, we hope to offer sessions which will
recognize military angles to Jewish genealogy, both >from the USA and
the rest of the world.
6) A "Latin America" track – Recognizing San Diego's proximity to
Central and South America and the need to find and understand our
relatives who live or lived south of the border.

All other subjects related to Jewish Genealogy and Genealogy in general,
will, of course, be considered.

See our web page at www.iajgs2020.org for more information.

Write to speakerhelp@iajgs2020.org or program@iajgs2020.org for answers
to questions about the submittal.

Best of luck >from all of us - and thank you!

Chuck Weinstein
Communications Director - IAJGS 40th Annual Conference on Jewish Genealogy

The IAJGS 2020 San Diego Conference is delighted to announce that the
Call for Proposals is now open!

The Submission deadline will be Wednesday, November 27, 2019!

If you wish to be considered as a speaker for this important conference
on Jewish Genealogy, please go to our website at: www.iajgs2020.org and
read our Call for Proposals to begin the submission process. While
covering all the major Jewish Genealogy topics that you've come to rely
on the IAJGS conferences for, we will also be looking for proposed
presentations which focus on the following hot topics:

1) A "Beginners" track for those who have never attended an IAJGS
conference before and who may or may not consider themselves new to
Jewish genealogy.
2) A "DNA" track to help all of us become better acquainted with the
immense insight that DNA is adding to the field of genealogy.
3) A "Heritage" track to help provide cultural context that both
inspires and enhances our genealogical explorations.
4) A "Shoah" track specifically to honor the memory of those who were
lost in the calamity of World War II.
5) A "Military" track -- With the US Naval Base San Diego just a few
blocks >from our convention, we hope to offer sessions which will
recognize military angles to Jewish genealogy, both >from the USA and
the rest of the world.
6) A "Latin America" track – Recognizing San Diego's proximity to
Central and South America and the need to find and understand our
relatives who live or lived south of the border.

All other subjects related to Jewish Genealogy and Genealogy in general,
will, of course, be considered.

See our web page at www.iajgs2020.org for more information.

Write to speakerhelp@iajgs2020.org or program@iajgs2020.org for answers
to questions about the submittal.

Best of luck >from all of us - and thank you!

Chuck Weinstein
Communications Director - IAJGS 40th Annual Conference on Jewish Genealogy

Errol asked "Does the Government retain the files of applications and interview notes?

Linda asked ". . . in 1950. Would they have been required to get Visas to come here?"

Yes, visas for permanent immigrants have been required by the US since 1924.  They were originally filed separately, but beginning April 1, 1944, the visa and supporting documents were placed in the new immigrant's A-File (how to obtain A-files depends on the file number, immigrant's date of birth, and other factors, see https://www.uscis.gov/history-and-genealogy/genealogy/files-numbered-below-8-million).

DP's whose immigration was aided by relief organizations after WW II often had the application process organized or "bundled" together, but when the immigrant arrived their individual visa was placed in their individual A-file just like any other immigrant.

Marian Smith

Where is here? 

"My parents were survivors from Aushwitz and were sequestered in a DP camp in Celle, Germany. They were finally allowed to come here in 1950. Would they have been required to get Visas to come here? And where can I research this year? Thank you so much. Linda Heller."

Sally Bruckheimer
Princeton, NJ

The IAJGS 2020 San Diego Conference is delighted to announce that the
Call for Proposals is now open! Deadline will be Wednesday, November
27, 2019!

If you wish to be considered as a speaker for this important conference
on Jewish Genealogy, please go to our website at: www.iajgs2020.org and
read our Call for Proposals to begin the submission process. While
covering all the major Jewish Genealogy topics that you've come to rely
on the IAJGS conferences for, we will also be looking for proposed
presentations which focus on the following hot topics:

1) A "Beginners" track for those who have never attended an IAJGS
conference before and who may or may not consider themselves new to
Jewish genealogy.
2) A "DNA" track to help all of us become better acquainted with the
immense insight that DNA is adding to the field of genealogy.
3) A "Heritage" track to help provide cultural context that both
inspires and enhances our genealogical explorations.
4) A "Shoah" track specifically to honor the memory of those who were
lost in the calamity of World War II.
5) A "Military" track -- With the US Naval Base San Diego just a few
blocks >from our convention, we hope to offer sessions which will
recognize military angles to Jewish genealogy, both >from the USA and
the rest of the world.
6) A "Latin America" track – Recognizing San Diego's proximity to
Central and South America and the need to find and understand our
relatives who live or lived south of the border.

All other subjects related to Jewish Genealogy and Genealogy in general,
will, of course, be considered.

See our web page at www.iajgs2020.org for more information.

Write to speakerhelp@iajgs2020.org or program@iajgs2020.org for answers
to questions about the submittal.

Best of luck >from all of us - and thank you!

Chuck Weinstein
Communications Director - IAJGS 40th Annual Conference on Jewish Genealogy

The IAJGS 2020 San Diego Conference is delighted to announce that the
Call for Proposals is now open! Deadline will be Wednesday, November
27, 2019!

If you wish to be considered as a speaker for this important conference
on Jewish Genealogy, please go to our website at: www.iajgs2020.org and
read our Call for Proposals to begin the submission process. While
covering all the major Jewish Genealogy topics that you've come to rely
on the IAJGS conferences for, we will also be looking for proposed
presentations which focus on the following hot topics:

1) A "Beginners" track for those who have never attended an IAJGS
conference before and who may or may not consider themselves new to
Jewish genealogy.
2) A "DNA" track to help all of us become better acquainted with the
immense insight that DNA is adding to the field of genealogy.
3) A "Heritage" track to help provide cultural context that both
inspires and enhances our genealogical explorations.
4) A "Shoah" track specifically to honor the memory of those who were
lost in the calamity of World War II.
5) A "Military" track -- With the US Naval Base San Diego just a few
blocks >from our convention, we hope to offer sessions which will
recognize military angles to Jewish genealogy, both >from the USA and
the rest of the world.
6) A "Latin America" track – Recognizing San Diego's proximity to
Central and South America and the need to find and understand our
relatives who live or lived south of the border.

All other subjects related to Jewish Genealogy and Genealogy in general,
will, of course, be considered.

See our web page at www.iajgs2020.org for more information.

Write to speakerhelp@iajgs2020.org or program@iajgs2020.org for answers
to questions about the submittal.

Best of luck >from all of us - and thank you!

Chuck Weinstein
Communications Director - IAJGS 40th Annual Conference on Jewish Genealogy

The IAJGS 2020 San Diego Conference is delighted to announce that the
Call for Proposals is now open! Deadline will be Wednesday, November
27, 2019!

If you wish to be considered as a speaker for this important conference
on Jewish Genealogy, please go to our website at: www.iajgs2020.org and
read our Call for Proposals to begin the submission process. While
covering all the major Jewish Genealogy topics that you've come to rely
on the IAJGS conferences for, we will also be looking for proposed
presentations which focus on the following hot topics:

1) A "Beginners" track for those who have never attended an IAJGS
conference before and who may or may not consider themselves new to
Jewish genealogy.
2) A "DNA" track to help all of us become better acquainted with the
immense insight that DNA is adding to the field of genealogy.
3) A "Heritage" track to help provide cultural context that both
inspires and enhances our genealogical explorations.
4) A "Shoah" track specifically to honor the memory of those who were
lost in the calamity of World War II.
5) A "Military" track -- With the US Naval Base San Diego just a few
blocks >from our convention, we hope to offer sessions which will
recognize military angles to Jewish genealogy, both >from the USA and
the rest of the world.
6) A "Latin America" track – Recognizing San Diego's proximity to
Central and South America and the need to find and understand our
relatives who live or lived south of the border.

All other subjects related to Jewish Genealogy and Genealogy in general,
will, of course, be considered.

See our web page at www.iajgs2020.org for more information.

Write to speakerhelp@iajgs2020.org or program@iajgs2020.org for answers
to questions about the submittal.

Best of luck >from all of us - and thank you!

Chuck Weinstein
Communications Director - IAJGS 40th Annual Conference on Jewish Genealogy

The IAJGS 2020 San Diego Conference is delighted to announce that the
Call for Proposals is now open! Deadline will be Wednesday, November
27, 2019!

If you wish to be considered as a speaker for this important conference
on Jewish Genealogy, please go to our website at: www.iajgs2020.org and
read our Call for Proposals to begin the submission process. While
covering all the major Jewish Genealogy topics that you've come to rely
on the IAJGS conferences for, we will also be looking for proposed
presentations which focus on the following hot topics:

1) A "Beginners" track for those who have never attended an IAJGS
conference before and who may or may not consider themselves new to
Jewish genealogy.
2) A "DNA" track to help all of us become better acquainted with the
immense insight that DNA is adding to the field of genealogy.
3) A "Heritage" track to help provide cultural context that both
inspires and enhances our genealogical explorations.
4) A "Shoah" track specifically to honor the memory of those who were
lost in the calamity of World War II.
5) A "Military" track -- With the US Naval Base San Diego just a few
blocks >from our convention, we hope to offer sessions which will
recognize military angles to Jewish genealogy, both >from the USA and
the rest of the world.
6) A "Latin America" track – Recognizing San Diego's proximity to
Central and South America and the need to find and understand our
relatives who live or lived south of the border.

All other subjects related to Jewish Genealogy and Genealogy in general,
will, of course, be considered.

See our web page at www.iajgs2020.org for more information.

Write to speakerhelp@iajgs2020.org or program@iajgs2020.org for answers
to questions about the submittal.

Best of luck >from all of us - and thank you!

Chuck Weinstein
Communications Director - IAJGS 40th Annual Conference on Jewish Genealogy