July 5, 1941: Canada or Bust?

Letter from Opa to Annelise Thieman of American Friends Service Committee 

Transcription:

Thomas Doeppner     McPherson, July 5, 19412

McPherson College

Miss Annelise Thieman

American Friends Service Committee

20 S. 12th St.

Philadelphia

Dear Miss Thieman,

I received letters form the Department of Justice directly and from Mr. Uhl from Ellis Island, that I have been granted extension of my temporary stay till September 1, 1941. Since I have made application for pre-examination, they will not consider my application for a student visa.

Sincerely yours,

Thomas Doeppner

It seems Opa has received the letter we read from June 26th, you can see it here. This letter is Opa's perfect summary of it. It seems his path toward pre-examination is set now. If approved, he'll exit and re-enter through Canada. Canada or bust? 

June 28, 1941: Do-Over Immigration

Letter from Opa to Annelise Thieman at American Friends Service Committee (AFSC)

Transcription:

Thomas Doeppner     Mcpherson, June 28, 1941

McPherson College

Miss Annelise Thieman

American Friends Service Committee

20 S. 12th St.

Philadelphia

Dear Miss Thieman:

As you suggested in your letter to Dr. Schwalm, I wrote to the Department of Justice, to apply for re-examination of my papers. As a result, I received the enclosed application blanks in three copies. I filled them out as well as I could but there are some questions which I do not know how to answer. In question 26, they ask about employments. Do I have to list there all the odd jobs I had, or just real employment, like I list under #27? Question 30 asks for what types of employment I am qualified. ShallI list engineering, although I have not yet completed my studies in that field? Question 39 asks whether I have ever been arrested abroad.  As you will know, the Dutchpolice arrested me when I first tried to cross the German-Dutch border. Since they let me free, or better sent me back, without any process of law, do I have to list that? As far as I know, I answered the other questions satisfactorily, or do you see anything that should be changed? If I shall go to Canada, what consul would be the best one to refer to in the application for pre-examination (Form I-155)? I would appreciate it very much if you would help me filling out these blanks in order that  I may have them sworn to and send them back to Washington.

I have a pretty good chance to get an affidavit from a lady here in McPherson, who is considered wealthy, although I do not know exactly how much she owns. She sent a letter to some attorney to find out just what her obligations will be, so I feel rather sure that she is going to do it. Would you please send me two sets of affidavit forms like those you sent for my mother?

Another question I would like to ask you. When getting your first papers or any later papers, do you have to swear to defend the United States by entering the army, or are there provisions made for conscientious objectors? For to swear this is one thing which I could not possibly do.

Now a question about my mother. Since the American consulates in Germany are going to be closed by July 15, will there be anybody to handle the visas, or does that mean that there will be no possibilities of getting a visa as long as the war is on?

I am trying to make some money now by having only odd jobs like harvesting, plowing, washing widows, etc. I avoid getting steady employment, but as far as I know, they will not object to these odd jobs, or will they?

Thanks again for all your help and work.

Sincerely,

Thomas Doeppner

The process of immigration and staying in America is extremely complicated, and remains so. My following thoughts are based on my limited knowledge so far, so I may not be perfectly accurate in my descriptions. 

Opa has been given an extension on his temporary status through September. He has until then to get his visa sorted. The direction he is going right now is to apply for re-examination and leave and re-enter the United States on a permanent immigration visa. From listening to the immigration attorney speak at a local non-profit recently, I realized that Opa's unfortunate encounter at Ellis Island resulted in receiving a temporary visa, rather than a student visa or other more permanent visa. That temporary visa he got seems like a visitors visa, which are only intended for folks who are visiting temporarily, and have no intention of staying. That's why he is not allowed to work, a visitor shouldn't be working, a steady job shows that the stay is not intended to be temporary. 

Opa has been trying to get a more permanent visa so he can have some of the rights and privileges of someone who intends to stay in the United States indefinitely. The student visa doesn't quite solve his problem as fully as he needs it to (it still functions as a temporary visa, and isn't too different from a visitor's visa in some of the rights and privileges to work). The best option is for him to leave, then re-enter under a more permanent visa. This sounds and feels really weird and lame. It's sort of like he's doing a do-over of his Ellis Island experience, but with some protective paperwork and pre-planning that will get him a better shot at getting the kind of visa he needs. I thought this was weird that the most efficient way a person can get a good visa is to basically hit re-start on the process and try it again. But this is still a thing. 

Opa wants to get his facts straight so he can do it right this time. I'm so grateful to the AFSC for providing the kind of counseling and advice that he needs to navigate the immigration process.

One of Opa's questions pops out at me as important to highlight. He asks if he needs to affirm his willingness to defend the United States by joining the army in the future as he is filling out immigration and papers for residency. His eventual goal as he has stated before, is to become a United States citizen. He is asking if there are provisions for conscientious objectors, because he is not willing to join an Army. This is interesting to note because my Opa served in the United States Army for 29 years. Something changed between this note and the day he joined the US Army. I'm intrigued to find out what it was. The way he told the story (shortened version) to us kids is that he always wanted to join the US military. Now I know that that wasn't  actually the case.

Opa's question about his mother fills the bottom of this letter with the lead feeling of deflated hope. He's asking Annelise to give it to him straight: is there any hope for his mother? 

Is there any hope?

June 26, 1941: Vague Immigration

Letter from Department of Justice, Immigration and Naturalization Service to Opa

Transcription:

US Department of Justice

Immigration and Naturalization Service

Washington

June 26, 1941

Mr. Thomas Walter Doppner

McPherson College

McPherson, Kansas

My dear Mr. Doppner:

This will refer to your application for an extension of temporary stay in the United States.

It is noted that you are making an application for pre-examination in order that you might depart to Canada for the purpose of applying for an immigration visa to an American Consul, and that you also request a change of status from a temporary visitor to a student. It is further noted that you desire permission to work while in this country in order to provide for your necessary school expenses.

Inasmuch as you have made application for pre-examination in order to adjust your status to that of a permanent resident of the  United States, your application for a change of status to that of a student, with permission to accept employment, will not be considered. However, you have been granted an extension of stay to September 1, 1941, in order to complete arrangements for adjustment of your status.

Sincerely yours,

Lemuel B. Schofield

Special Assistant to the Attorney General

By

T.B. Shoemaker

Deputy Commissioner, Legal Branch

I had to read that last paragraph four times to understand exactly what it was saying yes and no to. First things first: Opa's temporary visa has been extended, so he is now a legal resident until September 1, 1941. Note that it is June, so that's not an extremely long time to have an extension, but he will take whatever he can get. 

The last paragraph seems to state that Opa cannot be considered for a student visa with work permission if he has applied for pre-examination to adjust his status to that of a permanent resident. This is sort of what he was concerned about when he was writing with the AFSC earlier- he just wants the easiest, shortest way to legal residency. So now it looks like he may need to get approval to leave through Canada and re-enter on an immigration visa for permanent residency. 

I volunteered at a local organization last night that helps people with immigration concerns. There are lawyers there who are equipped to legally represent folks or at least advise them on their next steps. I was able to speak with one individual who had a story not so starkly different from Opa's, and while listening to the attorney's advice, I was struck by how similar the struggle with immigration is today. The person working towards legal status are constantly at the mercy of how their particular consulate will interpret the law. As the lawyer spoke last night, I imagined Opa hearing the advice of those at the AFSC and the responses from the Department of Justice. As the person in front of me last night teared up because things were still so complicated and difficult, I teared up too. I teared up for this person, but I also teared up for all the people who have been stuck in the in-between of immigration law- doing everything right but not finding a simple answer for their next step.

After this letter, Opa is OK, for now. His status is still temporary, his future still unknown, and his next steps still a bit hazy. I assume he will look into making a trip to Canada to re-enter on an immigration visa. If you are in the United States on a temporary visa, it helps to get permission to leave and then re-enter the US on a more permanent visa. It's complicated, and it takes an immigration lawyer to explain it. Last night, when hearing the lawyer talk about all the cases, I began to see just how complicated immigration law is, and without a lawyer to represent you, it would be very easy for an immigrant to be turned away or refused services or rights that they are entitled to. It was fascinating. 

Even after all the vetting and laborious process, someone could still get the boot for no reason at all. 

June 16, 1941: Again and Again and Again

Letter from Ella to Opa

Translation:

Berlin,16th of June 1941

Droysenstrasse 14

My beloved boy,

The day before yesterday your letter arrived, telling me that you spent your birthday rather nicely. How grateful I am to everybody who is so kind to you. Hopefully I can soon thank them personally and be nice to them. In the meantime you must have received my letter, telling you that the affidavit is not sufficient, and asked you to place a request (invitation) for me to come. How that is done, get the information from the Quakers, I don't know how myself. Hunschen did Ellen Ruth congratulate you for your birthday? And how is our beloved Pattilein whose letter should have arrived by now?  It is very hard to be so far away from both of you, and I hear so little. All my thinking, hopes, and wishes are about both of you. For a few weeks I seemed to be living in a dream, but that is over now, I am not able to concentrate, and the longing is much stronger again. Also many lessons have been cancelled lately, so I have much time to think about myself and things, and that is not good for me. I hear from Papa only through Ann'chen, and even then very seldom. I don't want to see anybody, everything seems so strange. The days in Guestrow were like a fairy tale, so harmonic, quiet, in loving (caring) surroundings. Aunt Berta came to stay with me for a few days, I am very happy about that. My boy, I don't care in which way I can come to you. Why should I object against land travel? On the contrary, if only I can come. Even though there too, the trip from the border has to be paid in Dollars from over there. It is pointless to get prices now, especially for the trip by steamer, since they change all the time. First the affidavit has to be in order, then the passage arranged and paid for, then I will get the Visa, and then I can travel. If only it would be soon. Now I am waiting impatiently for your letter.  I don't even know if you can study in Manhattan, but I hope so since you are writing quite positively about living there. I think soon a very detailed letter will arrive.

Did you receive my last letter? Say hello to your friends for me.

I kiss you lovingly

Your Mama

Note on side 

My dear boy. On my return trip from Potsdam I am staying a few days with Putschi (not sure about spelling), my chosen daughter (not really related) and think of you, my grandchild in love.

Berting

I just read this letter and my heart filled up and sank down. I don't know how to describe this feeling. I've been reading and writing about Opa's experiences in Kansas and his back and forth with the visa stuff that I kind of forgot Ella's voice for a bit. Here, with her letter, I get her back- a sort of reprieve for this strange homesickness I have for her. It sounds crazy, I never met her, but I miss her. I miss her and I will never be able to sit down in this world and share tea with her. I grieve for her. She is the person I would meet if I could go back in time and meet anyone. I long to comfort her and to have her comfort me. This connection I feel to her is as bizarre as it is visceral. When her letters run out, I don't know what I will do. The mere thought of not having another Ella letter to read brings tears to my eyes.

On this day, June 16, 1941, FDR ordered the closing of all German consulates in the US by July 10. It happens by July 15th. It's not completely impossible for immigration as folks can get to other countries and then immigrate from there to the US (as Opa did from Holland). It's not impossible, but it is now improbable at best. Ella's fate is growing dim.

And here we have Ella, back in Berlin after a reprieve to Guestrow, where the grass was green, the people kind, and her thoughts were free to have joy for a short time. She's back home, with a rejected affidavit, hopes in Opa's power of request, and pleading words for Opa to keep moving forward in his efforts to get her to the US. 

All she wants to do is say thank you to his friends. All she wants to do is teach anyone who is willing to learn. All she wants to do is live and be with her children. All she wants to do is celebrate a birthday with her children again, to pat their heads and embrace them.

I am so angry and sad and frustrated. Again and again and again and again this happens. 

June 15, 1941: Opa's Roomie Herb

A page out of Herb Michael's diary, Opa's roommate

Transcription:

Sunday, June 15, 1941

166th Day - 199 Days to Follow

Tom came up this afternoon, so that he could see the librarian tomorrow about work there next fall.

He talked to Wesley League, and seemed to be very greatly enjoyed.

Phil drove his car, (Mabel - a recent acquirement, somewhat dilapidated) and picked up Lorraine and I.

Phil had Alford, Tom- Gertrude (Phil's sister), his roommate, Dennison- - Lorby. It was a car full. 

We had a snack at the College Inn and Tom told the group how he got out of Germany.

In case you guys were wondering just how deep we have dug for the details on this story- this is how deep. We found the diary of a roommate of Opa's while he was in McPherson. Boom. Seriously though, Herb's wife Marianne and his daughter Elizabeth were  so incredibly kind to copy these pages out of his diary and answer some questions about Opa. Marianne told me rather wistfully about how she remembered Opa's "Dark brown eyes" - I think she may have wanted to date him! We've got a handful of pages from this diary that give some day-to-day details of Opa's life and life in McPherson.

I absolutely love this entry because college doesn't change does it? Phil has a clunker car he named Mabel and fills it with his friends on their way to an event. Seriously, how big was that car? There were at least 7 or 8 folks crammed in there. Love it. 

Here's my favorite line though: "We had a snack at the College Inn and Tom told us how he got out of Germany." 

I really wish that diary page was bigger though, I'd love to hear the details from Herb's perspective. 

June 13, 1941: Short and Snarky

Letter from Mary Rogers of AFSC to Berlin Quakers 

Transcription:

No. 791

June 13th, 1941

Quakerbureau,

Prinz Louis Ferdinandstrasse 5,

Berlin, Germany.

Re: Ella Doeppner - #3340

Dear Friends:

We have your letter No. 418 of May 12th regarding Ella Doeppner and, at the same time, had a letter from her directly to Mary Rogers.

Unfortunately, as you probably know, Tom still has not yet changed his status to that of a permanent immigrant and still is here on a Student visa. I have had quite some correspondence with McPherson College and there is some reason to hope that someone will give him an affidavit of support. However, he will be 21 years old before everything is straightened out and after that time he cannot request form 575 for Preference Quota.

Sincerely yours,

Mary M. Rogers,

Secretary

That was a short letter with not much good news. Mary is short and snarky, and a bit false on some facts. Let's start by correcting a couple of those: first- Opa is not on a Student Visa, he was supposed to be, but somewhere along the line he received a visitor's visa instead. That Visa has expired. Second- He is already 21 years old, his birthday was May 22, so he just turned 21.

I'm actually a little frustrated. The way Mary wrote this letter and the way Annelise has been writing to Opa- you would think the whole thing is his fault. However, from what documents we have- there was never any indication that Opa  should change his visa status to a permanent immigration until very recently. Also, he applied for a renewal of his visa and was refused based on a clerical error that has yet to be rectified. Then there is this special form 575 preferential quota, which I'm guessing might be the one that allows Opa to demand his mother come to the United States. Perhaps it was so minors could request to have a parent live with them? Either way- I never heard about it or the specifics and the deadline of Opa's 21st birthday, so I wonder if he knew anything about that. Opa may have been stubborn about going to Cuba, but I feel like the AFSC may have dropped the ball a little on this one, and it annoys me that they are acting like Opa dropped the ball.

I think ultimately I'm just frustrated, because all these little rules and policies and deadlines are giant boulders thrown in the way of Opa and Ella's freedom. Who can navigate this system?! It's ridiculous.

June 7 & 9, 1941: Identiteitsbewijs

Letter from Opa to Department of Labor

Transcription:

Thomas Doeppner       McPherson, June 7, 1941

McPherson College     Kansas

The Department of Labor

Washignton, D.C.

Dear Sir: -

I am a refugee from Germany. I arrived in this country on November 15, 1939, on board S.S. "Pennland," a Dutch liner, having a visitor's permit Section 3 (2) No. 231, issued in Amsterdam, Holland, by the American Consul Mr. Ellis A. Bonnet on September 22, 1939. I was born in Berlin, Germany, on May 22, 1920. My Mother is a Jewess, my father a German. In September 1938 I left Germany and went to Holland as a refugee. There I was given a Dutch foreigner passport, a so called "Identiteitsbewijs" No. 2173, which was valid until August 23, 1940. I had planned to get this passport renewed before its expiration, but because of the Nazi invasion of Holland, this was impossible. My visitor's permit here has expired, but an application for renewal or for a change of this status into the status of a student, is pending in the Department of Justice.

I have been going to McPherson College since November 1939, and I plan to continue my studies either here or in some other college next fall.

Would the labor department give me permit to work for next year's school expense, including tuition, fees, board and room provided I deposit my earnings with the college to be applied on my necessary school expenses?

The question was submitted to Mr. Salisbury of the Immigration Department who indicated that work under such conditions would be permissible. Now, however, I am informed that permission to work must be secured from the Department of Labor.

I desire to fulfill the legal requirements covering my case if I understand them. I have applied for immigration into this country, but pending action on my case in the Immigration Department I cannot take steps to secure citizenship right away. May I assume that I will be allowed to do work for my subsistence and education until I hear from you?

Yours very truly,

Thomas Doeppner

Opa's getting his act together, dotting all the i's and crossing the t's. I wonder if President Schwalm laid it on thick that  Opa really needed permission to work (Schwalm was told in confidence by Annelise Thieman that Opa's illegal working could result in internment). This letter certainly has me convinced to give Opa permission. He's law abiding with some unfortunate snags along the way that have made his visa expire and his Holland passport non-existent. PS- that words for the Holland foreign passport is fantastic! Identiteitsbewijs. Say that five times fast.

I'm reminded that the last time Opa heard from the INS- they said- don't do anything until we get back to you. This was when they had to sort out his application for a renewal that got lost in the shuffle when they discovered that they had two files for him at the INS. They were going to sort that out and get back to him. They never got back to him. The next letter Opa writes is to Mr. Salisbury with the INS. 

Letter from Opa to Mr. Salisbury of INS/Department of Justice

Transcription:

Thomas Doeppner       McPherson, June 7, 1941

McPherson College     Kansas

Mr. E.E. Salisbury

Immigration and Naturalization Service

Department of Justice

Washington D.C.

My dear Mr. Salisbury: - 

As you will recall from previous correspondence, I arrived in this country on November 15, 1939, on board S.S. "Pennland," a Dutch liner, having a visitor's permit Section 3 (2), No. 231, issued in Amsterdam, Holland, by the American Consul Mr. Ellis A. Bonnet on September 22, 1939. I was born in Berlin, Germany, on May 22, 1920. My mother is a Jewess, my father a German. In September 1938 I left Germany and went to Holland as a refugee. There I was given a Dutch foreigner passport, a so called "Identiteitsbewijs," No. 2173, which was valid until August 28, 1940. I had planned to get this passport renewed before its expiration, but because of the Nazi invasion of Holland, this has been impossible. My visitor's permit here has expired, but an application for a student's visa is in your hands. My alien registration number is 1102565.

Having come to appreciate the United States more and more, I feel it now as my ardent desire to become a citizen of this country. According to the information I have received, this will be possible for me by going to Canada and applying for a quota visa from an American Consul in Canada. Therefore, I would like to ask you to grant mw pre-examination of my immigration papers. If this will be possible, I shall send you the necessary papers, including an affidavit of support.

Hoping to hear from you soon and thanking you very much for your interest and help, I remain,

Very sincerely yours,

Thomas Doeppner.

My favorite line from that letter: "an application for a student's visa is in your hands." More like: what's the hold up sonny? But this letter reveals to us that Opa is planning to take the Canadian plan of immigration and is hoping Salisbury will respond and give him the go-ahead. It also tells us that Opa found an affidavit! Where did he get that from? This next letter he wrote a couple days later to Annelise Thieman, probably bragging about how he did everything she told him to do...

Letter from Opa to Annelise Thieman of AFSC

Transcription:

Thomas Doeppner      McPherson, June 9, 1941.
McPherson College

Miss Annelise Thieman
American Friends Service Committee
Philadelphia

Dear Miss Thieman:

I have had a rather hard time, but now I am going to get an affidavit of support for me, so I think I can now go ahead applying for my immigration. Dr. Schwalm, president of McPherson College, told me about the letter he received from you, and I would like to follow your suggestion in going via Canada. I wrote the enclosed letter to Mr. Salisbury, which letter tells you my plans. What do I have left to do to get the necessary papers, as certificate of conduct, health certificate, etc? Is any doctor allowed and qualified to give me a health certificate? DO I have to get a certificate of conduct from Germany, or would it be sufficient to only get one from the police department here?

I also would like to show you the letter I wrote to the Labor Department concerning my working this summer. In the meantime, I think it would be alright to accept small odd jobs, like harvest work or other work on the farm, until I hear differently from the Department of Labor, or do you think I should not work at all?

I just had word from Kansas College, Manhattan, that I can get a job in the library of the college, translating magazines and other publications. This will probably payoff board and room and a little extra, so that I shall have a good chance to go to college, if I can make enough money in time. Certainly I would like to do anything I can to get my immigration settled, if my working this summer would interfere with this, I could not do it and therefore could not go to college next year.

I'm hoping to hear from you soon, and thanking you again very much for your interest and help. I remain, 

Sincerely yours,

Thomas Doeppner

Ok I don't know if you noticed how much that actual letter was riddled with typos and weird spacing, but that was a mess of a letter! I don't know if Opa was seriously rushed or just annoyed with Annelise- but it isn't like him to send such a mess in the mail. He is German, after all.

His letter was pretty much telling Annelise he did as he was told. I can't help but feel sorry for him as you can see his stubborn stride in his absolute focus on trying to keep on his path to go to school. He really doesn't want to stop working, he really doesn't want to stop this progress toward Kansas State which seems to be going well (he got a job!). You can hear him almost saying to Annelise- is there ANY way I can just keep doing what I've been doing and not mess so much with this immigration stuff?! It's become a major road block for his goals. Now we sit and wait. Will he go to Canada? Will he have to tell Kansas State no?