In a NY Times article this morning, some light was shed on the not-so wonderful reminiscences of the first days of “freedom” experienced by Holocaust survivors in coming to America.  Nina Bernstein explains that the “land of opportunity (is) little at first.” And, that “Holocaust Refugees found distrust here.” Some, given the title of Displaced Persons (DP’s) were like those whose national origin I did not know when I guarded such a camp in Austria at the end of WWII.

Ms Bernsteins’s article traced some of the elderly remaining persons whose journey to “freedom” took them to odd places and round about treks and eventually arrived in America where they were not really wanted or welcomed.  Laws and custom were against strangers who did not speak English and who “Americans” were afraid that they would take away their jobs and threaten the comfortable lives enjoyed here.

The newcomers who fled inhuman conditions leading up to the ultimate horror of death at the hands of the Nazi killing machine often found that the law here excluded them.  Many entered America illegally or by taking circuitous routes through other countries.  Deportation was often the fate of some who could not produce proper documentation that would allow them to stay.  Unfeeling and unknowing officialdom who were undoubtedly anti-Semitic in any event would hasten sending them away and in other cases revoking citizenship once granted.

The stories of some of these displaced persons were followed and many were tales of success in learning the “American” way of doing things and speaking English.  It came at a cost of a difficult time but the opportunities here were such that success stories were common.

The cautionary conclusion of this page of reminiscences is that the travails of peoples who either were ripped from their homes or left to seek something better have always found a home in America.  The inescapable comparison is that the new arrivals often have the same story of accusations that they do not belong and will take away jobs of deserving Americans.  They may have come here because of “refugee” status because of persecution in their home countries or because they know that no matter how low their pay or treatment is here in America, it is far better to try to become an American than a citizen with few opportunities and freedom back home.

This cycle has been operating since newcomers found a flourishing civilization run by Indian (Native Americans) tribes who, too late, tried to exclude, deport and revoke the rights of those who wanted to come here.