November 27, 1940: Opa in Transition

Letter from Elizabeth Walton to McPherson College President V.F. Schwalm

Transcription:

November 27, 1940.

President V.F. Schwalm

McPherson College,

McPherson, Kansas.

Re: Thomas Doeppner

Dear President Schwalm:

We regret that your letter of October 29, 1940, addressed to John Rich in regard to the immigration technicalities of Thomas Doeppner, has not been answered before this. It was turned over to this office which, in the meantime, had been in direct communication with Thomas Doeppner and Mr. E.E. Salisbury of the Immigration and Naturalization Service in Washington, D.C. It was found that there have been two files on Thomas Doeppner in the Washington office and that the confusion arose from this fact. Mrs. Schauffler of this office talked directly with Mr. Salisbury on November 1, 1940, at which time he stated he would take care of the situation and advised that Thomas Doeppner take no action until a decision is reached in Washington. This message has already been forwarded to Thomas Doeppner. We have had no further word from Mr. Salisbury, but when we hear from him we shall of course, be glad to notify Thomas Doeppner and get in touch with you if any action seems indicated.

We are also interested to secure advice as to further work for Thomas. He has written to us that he has taken all the courses in science and engineering given at McPherson College and we have advised him to discuss his future plans with the dean. We have not corresponded with the dean as all our communications have been directly with you. But perhaps you would rather have us write to him to learn of Thomas' present academic standing and what suggestions he may have for his future professional training. In his letters to us Thomas has frequently expressed his appreciation of the interest shown him at McPherson College and his gratitude for this opportunity to study and be a part of your student body. He has known all along that the curriculum at McPherson does not offer a wide selection of courses in his professional interest. That is the reason for his wishing further vocational advice at this time.

Very sincerely yours,

Elizabeth Walton.

So Opa had two files. I can't believe how long it took for them to figure it out and what a roller coaster he had to be on while everyone else was getting their act together. But at least for now he gets to stay in the US- not so much by permission but by omission as they need to consolidate his cases and make a new decision based on all the information. 

In the meantime - Elizabeth Walton- a new name from the American Friends Service Committee- has been in touch with McPherson College President V.F. Schwalm. In this letter she caught him up on what's happening, but I'm sure he already knew. She also let him know that Opa was starting to explore his educational options that allowed for more advanced engineering and technical training. I love how she emphasizes how grateful Opa has been to McPherson. It's almost like she's trying to soften the blow that he needs something that McPherson can't offer. But Opa has always been forthright about his educational goals, and I think Schwalm has always known Opa would need to move on at some point. 

This is why Schwalm and McPherson are so special... they welcomed and supported Opa even when they knew he might not finish out his school career there. They knew that they might just be a way-station for this boy. This is true hospitality. I think about some of the organizations that I have been a part of and how they have been less willing to help people who are not members or who won't be around long enough to give back. McPherson helped Opa with no promises of a return and I bet that Schwalm will do whatever he can to keep helping him in this time of transition.

November 20, 1940: Small Joys

Letter from Ella to Opa

Translation:

Berlin, Charlottenburg, Nov. 20^th 1940

Droysenstrasse 14

My beloved boy, By now I have been without news from you for over 4 weeks, and I worry.

This time one year ago, you were ill, hopefully you are not ill again. I tell myself of course, that the mail does not come regularly, and that my boy writes to me every week, the letters do not arrive, and you know mamas are always worried about their children. Through a friend of Pattilein, I heard that she is well, and also received a few darling pictures of her and her husband. I do believe she is doing well. Did you receive my letter in which I replied to you letter in details about your feelings for Esther? It was the last one I received, I think every day about how it looks inside of you (your inner most feelings). Every day I wait for mail so longingly.  

Hunschen, there is a possibility (chance) to go to the “small Antilles" islands if somebody will guarantee to cover my living expenses. Might that be possibly for me? Do you know somebody who would do that? From here I cannot do anything, would not know who to turn to. Do you think the “Friends” could do something? Or perhaps Hanna’s brother? Hanna sent me a rather cool birthday letter, and did not respond to the matter of an affidavit at all.

Also Rose states only vaguely the she would handle things, when the time comes. Hunschen, please get in contact with Rose, without that affidavit nothing can be done from here. Once on the small Antilles, one can wait there until the number comes up. How great that would be. Sometimes it is hard not to lose courage, but we have to be brave. And every day also brings small joys. Anni and Gis were going to visit me today. Sadly I had to cancel, because I have no time this week, we rescheduled for Sunday after next. The Saturday before I will go to a lecture at the “Friends”, I have not been there for a long, long time, and I am looking forward to it very much. Yesterday I was at Ann’chen’s for dinner. She says to tell you hello, and will write a Christmas letter to you within the next days. I wish for you a happy Thanksgiving day my boy. Maybe there will be a letter today, when I get home. I am writing this on the road, first at the H-V (must be the school) where I was transferred to, and now, since I ran out of ink, at the post office. 

I am always, always with you and Patti, and also with Aust, and I am thinking very much of all other loved ones. My boy, I kiss you dearly.

Your Mama

Did Shelley’s receive my letter?

Ella is looking for any way out, ANY WAY. I want to remind my readers that the Wansee Conference (you know- the one where they come up with the "Final Solution" for Jews?)- it hasn't even happened yet. Right now the Nazis are just be supreme jerks and also highly encouraging all Jews to leave the country, while also taking away all of their rights and means of financial independence. Things are bad, but Ella knows that now is the time to get out- and I think she sees the writing on the wall- that things probably won't get better for a while. She is daring to be hopeful. This practical, humble, pragmatic woman is considering moving to the small Antilles on the sponsorship of a family member or Quakers. For Ella, that is a huge swallow of pride and a giant leap into the unknown. That's how bad it is. And they haven't started shipping people out yet.

Ella hasn't gotten news from many people lately, it seems the mail ebbs and flows. She knows that, but it doesn't help her anxiety and worry. She can't stop being a mother- she still worries about Patti's happiness and safety. She still worries about Opa's colds. She still wonders if he is heartbroken. She still hopes Patti's marriage is happy. All her worries, concerns, and wishes- they don't disappear when her own anxieties overwhelm her. In fact, Ella focuses in on her children so that her love and concern for them will hide and push away her worries for herself. 

Ella stays busy, working however she can. She's been so busy she hasn't been able to stay as connected with the Quakers- and had to cancel a visit with Gis and Anni (I'm so glad they are visiting her!)- but she is making time to go to the lectures that the Quakers held for folks like her. It gives her an opportunity to connect with other folks, to get spiritual/intellectual inspiration, and to not feel isolated for an evening.

Ella continues to hold on to hope, and to her love for her children. That connective thread to her family is stretched so far across the world- America, France, Amsterdam. It's a challenge to hold them all - but she does it for hope. She holds on to the small joys that make her journey bearable.

November 4, 5, 1940: Don't Relax

Telegram from Opa to Marjorie Schauffler

Transcription:

Mrs. Marjorie Schauffler, American Friends Service Committee
 20 South 12 St Phila=

Received letter from Uhl today dated October 31, repeating order to leave. Does your telegram supersede this order. Should I remain here? Please wire advice=
Thomas Doeppner.
Uhl 31.

Letter from Opa to Byron Uhl of INS

Transcription:

Thomas Doeppner  McPherson, November 5, 1940.

McPherson College

McPherson, Kansas

Mr. Byron Uhl

District Director

New York District    ((99503/254))

Dear Sir,

I have your letter of October 31 advising me to leave the United States by November 5. I have also received a telegram from Mrs. Marjorie Schauffler of the American Friends Service Committee of Philadelphia saying that Mr. Salisbury of the State Department in Washington is attempting to arrange for a student visa for me. She also indicated that she had been in touch with your office, apparently after the date of your letter, and that you had agreed to take no action pending the outcome of Mr. Salisbury's effort. I am assuming that this is correct, unless I hear differently from your office.

Yours very truly,

Thomas Doeppner.

Telegram from Marjorie Schauffler of AFSC to Byron Uhl at INS

Transcription:

Byron H. Uhl          (November 5, 1940)

District Director

New York District

U.S. Department of Justice

Regarding Thomas Doeppner McPherson Kansas E.E. Salisbury is handling his case and has instructed him through our office to await Washington decision STOP Salisbury discovered two Washington files on case and one contains request from Doeppner dated July 21 requesting change of status to student visa STOP We have advised Doeppner remain McPherson until instructions received from Salisbury STOP If you advise otherwise please wire us collect

Marjorie  Page Schauffler

American Friends Service Committee

Telegram from Marjorie Schauffler to Opa

Transcription:

Thomas Doeppner          (Noveber 5, 1940)

McPherson College

McPherson, Kansas.

Have wired Uhl that Salisbury is handling matter and has instructed you through us to await his decision without further action STOP Suggest you remain McPherson until Salisbury advises otherwise 

Marjorie Page Schauffler

Letter from Marjorie Schauffler to E.E. Salisbury of INS

Transcription:

November 5, 1940.

Mr. E.E. Salisbury:

We have just received the following telegram from Mr. Doeppner:

"Received letter from Uhl today dated October 31, repeating order to leave. Does your telegram supersede this order. Should I remain here? Please wire advice."

and in reply and in accordance with the telephone conversation I had with you on November 1, in which you advised that Mr. Doeppner take no action until he or we had heard from you, I have sent the following telegrams to him and to District Director Uhl:

"Have wired Uhl that Salisbury is handling matter and has instructed you through us to await his decision without further action STOP Suggest you remain McPherson until Salisbury advises otherwise"

"Regarding Thomas Doeppner McPherson Kansas E.E. Salisbury is handling his case and has instructed him through our office to await Washington decision STOP Salisbury discovered two Washington files on case and one contains request from Doeppner dated July 21 requesting change of status to student visa STOP We have advised Doeppner remain McPherson until instructions received from Salisbury STOP If you advise otherwise please wire us collect"

We are sending you this letter for your record.

Very sincerely,

(Mrs.) Marjorie Page Schauffler

This whole exchange is a perfect example of what it means to be a refugee: your life is completely and totally in the hands of arbitrary decisions. One minute Opa can be consoled that all is well and he can relax, someone is taking care of things. The next minute he gets notice that he really needs to leave the country, despite the fact that he had been told that that person would not ask him to do that again. For Opa, his refugee status has meant that he must always be alert, always on task, never relaxing into the comfort of his home. At any moment, someone may have the authority to demand he leave. At any moment his freedom might be taken on the condition of a missed deadline, a missed communication, an arbitrary decision. I think Opa had sort of settled in and was feeling comfortable, but this letter exchange reminds him he has let his guard down and comfortable is a luxury he has not earned yet.

To be a refugee means that you have no idea where home is. It means that someone else gets to decide- always. This would throw me into a perpetual state of anxiety, high-alert, poised to move. A refugee must be in a position like a kitten that prepares its body to pounce, ready to go where it needs to go for safety- when at any moment, someone can grab you by the scruff of your neck and put you where ever they want you- rendering you paralyzed until you've been placed. Being a refugee means having little to no control over your life. These letters remind Opa that he is not a visitor, he is a refugee- and he cannot relax.

November 2, 1940: Oh Yeah, School

Original Letter from Kathleen Hanstein of AFSC to Opa

Transcription:

Mr. Thomas Doeppner

McPherson College

McPherson, Kansas

Dear Mr Doeppner:

I want to acknowledge your letter in regard to your plans for next year although I have not yet had the chance to look into the possibility at the college you mentioned and shall, therefore, have to write you in greater detail later on I think that it would be wise for you to discuss the whole situation with the dean at McPherson, or with your faculty advisor and the on the basis of their advice to see what the scholarship possibilities might be in any of the colleges in that vicinity which have satisfactory engineering courses. We shall, at the same time, be keeping you in mind for a possible scholarship elsewhere as we do sometimes have scholarships available in colleges with engineering courses and we can, of course, understand that your final years of college work you should be in a college giving the type of professional training that you wish to secure.

Sincerely yours,

Kathleen Hanstein

Associate Counsellor

P.S. I had dictated this letter before your letter arrived describing your visa difficulties. I turned your letter over to Mrs. Schauffer and trust you have heard from her by this time.

K.H.H.

I'm impressed that in the midst of figuring out the whole visa fiasco - Opa has the ability to make plans for furthering his college career. I have this weird image of Opa on a train- slowly making its way to the destination, but flocks of birds are dive-bombing the windows, cows are standing in the tracks, other trains are going in front, people are debating whether to continue to allow the train to go forward- and in all this Opa squints to the future- noticing that he'd like to make sure that if he gets there- it has an engineering degree to offer.

For Opa the education is more than just a vehicle to get to the United States- it is a vehicle to stay there, to get a job there, and to hopefully maybe bring his mother there on his own hard-earned dime. That destination is a strategic choice and he has to keep his eye on it.

November 1, 1940: A Tale of Two Files

Telegram from Marjorie Schauffler of AFSC to Opa

Transcription (of telegram above and below - two copies):

Thomas Doeppner

MacPherson College

MacPherson

Kansas

Have been in touch with Salisbury Washington and Urls office New York STOP Difficulty due to confusion in Washington records STOP Mr Salisbury has matter in hand and will try to arrange visa or special hearing if necessary he will advise us of outcome Uhl will take no action meanwhile 

Marjorie Schauffler

 Copy 2 of Telegram from Marjorie Schauffler to Opa

Memo of Phone Conversation between Miss Doyle of INS and Marjorie Schauffler of AFSC

Transcription:

Thomas Doeppner

Hans Buchinger

11-1-1940  Telephone conversation with Miss Doyle in Mr. Uhle's Office at Ellis Island re. Hans Buchinger and Thomas Doeppner, both of which were referred to Washington by Mr. Uhle, their request for extension having been denied by Ellis Island on the grounds that each in accepting renumeration had violated the terms of the visitor's visa. Communications regarding their cases should, therefore, be taken up directly with Washington with copies to Ellis Island.

M.P.S.

Memo of Phone Conversation between Marjorie Schauffler of AFSC 

and Mr. Salisbury of INS

Transcription:

Re: Thomas Doeppner    Date: November 1, 1940

Conversation with: E.E. Salisbury, Department of Justice

By: Marjorie Page Schauffler

Subject Matter:

We phoned Mr. Salisbury as he did not call us back. He has discovered that there had been two files on Thomas Doeppner in the Washington office and that the confusion has arisen from this fact. We explained that Mr. Uhl had no file at Ellis Island containing a copy of the letter from Mr. Doeppner that his status be changed to a student visa. Mr. Salisbury in his record in Washington has a letter from Mr. Doeppner making this request and dated July 21. He will take care of the situation and advises that Mr. Doeppner take no action until a decision is reached in Washington. We asked what action Mr. Uhl might take in the meantime and Mr. Salisbury assured us that Mr Uhl could take no action except as instructed by Washington. The letter which Mr. Doeppner received is not a deportation order but simply a notification that request for extension of his visa had been denied.

MPS/ggh

Thank GOD the AFSC is on Opa's side! What a royal mess! If you read through all the documents, it looks like the whole issue boils down to a filing error. There are two files for Opa in Washington, one is controlled by the mean Mr. Uhl who denied him, and the other by the nice Mr. Salisbury, who the AFSC are in conversation with. There should not be duplicate files, which is why Opa felt like he had to tell everyone his requests twice- because that's exactly what he was doing. It is amazing how little details like his request for the Student visa and the connection Mr. Salisbury had with the AFSC really does make a difference. You see almost a perfect double blind experiment here - Opa's story could have gone two very different ways.

Luckily it seems that Opa is safe to stay and Mr. Salisbury is going to work out the confusion that is his two files. (But seriously, how many Doeppner's are there in America? I'm related to all of the ones I've met.) I love that the letter that tells Opa to leave in five days is not a deportation notice. You can see how someone who didn't have help like the AFSC could have been completely lost in the web of immigration papers. You could have been deported for having the wrong guy look at the wrong file. It is so grey, so arbitrary, so ambiguous. 

I am reminded time and again how very hard it was to come to the United States, and how miraculous/lucky/blessed/fortunate Opa was to have somehow continually slipped through the loopholes and land with his feet still on American soil.

October 31, 1940: UGH!

Letter from Byron Uhl at INS to Opa

Transcription:

October 31, 1940      file number 99503/254

Mr. Thomas Doeppner

McPherson College

McPherson, Kansas

Dear Sir:

In reply to your letter of October 29, 1940, I mist advise you that the Department of Justice, Washington, D.C., arrived at its decision, denying you extension of your temporary admission, after careful consideration of all the facts in the case. This office is not empowered to amend or qualify that decision in any particular.

If you wish to pursue a regular course of study in this country, you should effect non-quota immigration as a student, under Section 4(e) of the Immigration Act of 1924. You should leave the United States, secure an appropriate visa fro an American Consul on foreign territory and then apply for and successfully pass examination as an immigrant at some designated port of entry. The enclosed circular, concerning status of student's, should prove helpful to you in formulating your plans.

In any case, it is expected that you will arrange to leave the United States without delay, and that you will advise me as to name of ship or other means of transportation, port and exact date, so that your departure may be verified and your file closed.

Very truly yours,

Byron H. Uhl

District Director

New York District

Translation: I will be of zero help to you sir, in fact, after reading this letter- you will want to pull your hair out.

I mean, really. First- this guy HAS to hate his job. I hate this letter, I can't imagine being in a position where I have to write multiples of them! Second- I don't think this guy cares if he is helpful to Opa. If you are an Uhl descendent- I'm sorry - he might have been a nice guy- but he seems annoyed with Opa and he is ready to close his file and ship him OUT. He recommends the student visa process- which is nice- but infuriating because that is what he was supposed to ENTER on!! That guy at Ellis Island who randomly gave Opa a visitors visa-- grrrr!

The plan all along was for Opa to have his student's visa. He did all of the things that Mr. Uhl is asking- except he did it at the right time and he was able to get to the US. If he leaves now and tries to go through the process again- I have to imagine even Mr. Uhl knows it is close to impossible to gain entry into the US. He's also forgetting that Opa has NO VISA or passport right now. So how is he supposed to travel? Mr. Uhl gave no insight for that- which was Opa's main question other than to ask why he was declined- which Mr. Uhl also couldn't tell him. This letter is useless to Opa other than to state that he has to figure out how to leave. If not ship- I guess by foot or car to Mexico or Canada??

Oh man this letter gets my blood boiling. How did Opa not tear this up and burn it?! "Very truly yours"- baloney.

So seriously. What is Opa supposed to do?

October 30, 1940: Immigration Catch-22

Memo from AFSC staff's phone conversation with Mr. Salisbury at INS

Transcription:

Memo of Telephone Conversation

Re: Doeppner          Date: 10/30/40

Conversation with: Mr. Salisbury - Wash

By: M.P.S (name of Staff Worker)

Subject matter:

MPS phoned re sit in Mr. D's (regarding situation in Mr. Doeppner's) letter of 10/28. Mr. Salisbury will check up and call us back.

11/1 Request for extension for 1 yr (Sept 3-12)

no date, no notarization

no request for chg of status

reasons given-continued impos.(impossibility) of returning X

interview 

Oct 21 - denying ext (extension)

Effect non-quota     4E 1924

Doyle 

Spec Asst to the Atty Genl in Charge Immigr. & Nat-

(special assistant to the attorney general in charge immigration and naturalization).

Ok- so here's a memo for Mrs. Hanstein to look at as she processes the madness that is Opa's visa denial. I'll be honest, while I could figure out the shorthand of the notes, I'm not entirely clear on what the information is. It sounds like Opa's first request for an extension did not include a request for a change of status or a date and notarized something or another.  Then it looks like the main reason for denying the renewal was the impossibility of returning to the country of origin. This does sort of make sense because that was part of the Catch-22 of immigration then. You were more than welcome to come if we know without a doubt we can ship you back when we want to. If your country is at war or hates you- well then that makes you stuck here- and we want to be able to kick you out. 

So the problem is that the US let Opa in once, and now they've decided he's crossed that threshold from having a country to go home to ... to not having one (Holland falling to German invasion). The problem is that for that very reason- Opa can't go home now- because he has no home to go to. So it seems like the US is stuck. Or worse- they'll just put him on any ship and not care what meets him on the other side. We'll see how this progresses.