Immigration issue – Northwest Reviewing Stand – Mutual Broadcasting – February 23, 1947 – Gordon Skene Sound Collection –
Immigration has always been an issue for America. But World War 2 and the massive infusion of immigrants coming to America was largely unprecedented and it was something that caused many lawmakers to revisit our Immigration policies in light of what was looking like an unending flood of people, not only displaced owing to the devastation that had visited many European towns and cities, but the latest issue of immigrants fleeing those East European countries now coming under the influence of the Soviet Union was in danger of making an already borderline overcrowding situation worse.
But long before the building of the Statue Of Liberty and the inscription “Give us your tired, your poor . . .” was a permanent fixture on the New York Skylin, the issue of immigration to the U.S. was a major cause of concern going back to practically the founding of America. As we’re reminded in this discussion that America was built on people escaping other counties in favor of this one. Some immigration was encouraged from a cheap labor standpoint in he late 1800’s and it was considered an instant workforce.
But having the reputation of being safe harbor to millions escaping persecution was a little difficult, if America were to all of a sudden shut the doors and close off the opportunities. But we did have to come up with a plausible alternative to what was rapidly becoming an overwhelming problem.
In 1947 we were tackling the Quota System, a system of immigration that only so many people were allowed to emigrate to the U.S. from Europe and other countries. After World War 2 we were faced with a difficult situation – not only America but Britain was facing a similar situation. The issue of homelessness based on being displaced and having literally no alternative was no more apparent than in the Concentration camps which were now serving as temporary housing for those caught up in the holocaust. Even in 1947, some two years after the end of World War 2 those same concentration camps which saw the murder of millions was now home for hundreds of thousands. Many wanted to come to America, while many wanted to relocate to Palestine, which later on this year of 1947 would become the nation of Israel.
So this program, part of the weekly series Northwestern Reviewing Stand from February 23, 1947 discusses the issue and considers various alternatives to what has wound up becoming a potential problem with no end in sight.
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