Official Correspondence Relating to Immigration of Russian Exiles. Plans of Action of—Independent Order B'nai B'reth (!) Jewish Alliance of America. Baron de Hirsch Trustees. Union of American Hebrew Congregations.

(AMERICAN JUDAICA)

Geo. R. Gray

Washington, D.C.

1891

Singerman 4259

The various American Jewish organizations were galvanized into action by the Act of Congress of March 3, 1891, whereby aliens would be excluded from admission into the United States if they fell into the category of "paupers or persons likely to become a public charge." This would have effectively put an end to the influx of impoverished Jews from Tsarist Russia. To counteract this legislation, a letter was drafted to the Secretary of the Treasury, assuring the U.S. Government that the Russian-Jewish immigrants would not become a burden to the American public, as immediately upon arrival their co-religionists would assume the financial responsibility of their absorption.