Professionals are often demoted and given nonprofessional work. Many of these people are subjected to surveillance by the KGB. conscription into the Soviet Army. arrest and imprisonment. expulsion from schools. and physical abuse. The Soviet authorities frequently use the excuse of "considerations of state" in order to refuse Jews their right to leave the U.S.S.R. "Considerations of state" can preclude from emigration any healthy male over the age of 18. former military personnel who served at least 1 year. and employees who work for a "secret" industrial business or scientific institution. Many Soviet Jews have been denied emigration because the term "consideration of state" was applied to one of their relatives. One such example is that of Vsevolod Berger. a physician specializing in hygiene and epidemiology. and his wife. Valerla. a doctor also. Vsevolod applied for a visa in 1977. His visa was refused that same year and again in 1979. The reason for the denial was that Vsevolods father. a staunch Communist Party member and a former colonel in the Soviet Army. would not give his consent. The Bergers have no relatives in Israel. but Valeria has a brother living in Munster. IN. Vsevolod lost his professional position after his first visa application. He was no longer able to get any other work as a doctor. so he became a guard at the same hospital where he had formerly worked as a physician. After the Bergers emigration denial in 1979. Vsevolod lost his position as a guard. The reason given for refusal was an "incompatible diploma." He was considered too highly qualified to do unskilled work. but whenever he attempted to obtain work in his own profession. he was told there was none in his specialty.
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emigration visa