Document
A notice sent by the American Consulate General in Berlin regarding immigration visas
A notice sent by the American Consulate General in Berlin to Arthur Lewy and family, instructing them to report to the consulate on July 26, 1939, with all the required documents, in order to receive their American visas.
German Jews attempting to immigrate to the United States in the late 1930s faced overwhelming bureaucratic hurdles. It was difficult to get the necessary papers to leave Germany, and US immigration visas were difficult to obtain. The process could take years.
Transcript
Your summons for August 7th is hereby canceled.
File number 811.111
To be indicated when replying
American Consulate General
Berlin W 9
Mr. Arthur Lewy and Family (3)
Ref: Your current visa matter
We hereby inform you that the evidence for your maintenance expenses in the United States appears sufficient, and it is clear– if you emigrate there, –you will not become a burden to the state.
You are hereby asked to appear on July 26th 1939 between 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. to present the documents listed on the enclosed note "Documents required for the issuance of visas" and to submit your formal visa application. The purpose of a formal visa application is to determine whether you [ this would be better translated as “satisfy” or”fulfill”] all the immigration laws of the United States.
It is in your own interest not to make any definitive preparations, such as the purchase of ship tickets, household dissolution, etc., until you are in possession of the immigrant visa.
Respectfully
For the Consul General
Halleck L. Rose
Consul of the United States of America
Critical Thinking Questions
Why are documents like this one important historical evidence?
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Tags
- US Holocaust Memorial Museum, courtesy of Stephan H. Lewy