Campbell Bruce discusses it in this book. the Golden Door. and it impressed me not only because of the distress it details. but also because it became necessary for Congress itself to step in and offer relief in a situation which should not have required such an extreme measure. Gustavs Ildimars Freibergs managed to escape from Latvia in the midst of the fire of Communist troops. He was able finally to enter the United States in 1947 on a visitors visa. When. however. he tried to apply for permanent residence because of his great desire to become an American citizen. it was found that this could not be granted him on the ground that Latvias quota was way oversubscribed. and a quota number was not available. He asked to have his temporary visa extended twice. and during that time he was drafted into the Army. So much a part of this country did he become that he married an American girl even before his induction. Freibergs served in Korea for 6 months and was then rotated back to this country. Shortly after his return the immigration authorities ordered him deported to Latviawhile he was in Korea his temporary visa had expired. When his story came to the attention of the Los Angeles Times interest in his case was aroused. A private bill was introduced for his relief in the Congress. and his deportation was halted. We have since passed a law which would have helped Freibergs in view of his service in the Armed Forces. But still we are faced with the vivid fact that the Latvian quota is minute.
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deported immigration visa deportation