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The Complicated Details of Migration and Refugee Law: Primary Source Collections to Educate the Development of Immigration in the United States

Authored by Puanani Luhia

Photo of a primary source document in the Center for Migration Studies of New York’s Arthur P. (“Skip”) Endres Papers Collection. Congressional Record – Extension of Remarks: Equitable Relief Asked for Haviv Schieber, submitted by Honorable John M. Ashbrook of Ohio in the House of Representatives, May 13, 1974.

The Extension of Remarks is part of the Congressional Record which serves as the official transcript for the House and the Senate. The Center for Migration Studies (CMS) also offers works from the Arthur P. (“Skip”) Endres Papers Collection to serve as “primary sources of how migration and refugee law is made and how that process might be improved for future generations of immigrants” (CMS 2015, 4).

The United States has found the need to develop immigration laws and procedures to address numerous intricate situations effectively. The remarks submitted by a member of the Ohio House of Representatives, John M. Ashbrook, on behalf of the Haviv Schieber, were offered in the hopes that the United States would grant Schieber asylum, effectively rescinding an order of deportation. The original printed remarks of this case are available as digital photos online (Anderson n.d.). Arguments made on Haviv Schieber’s behalf were based on humanitarian reasons highlighted by acts of self-harm, as well as accusations of misconduct within the Immigration Services. Many articles in the magazine “Tactics” supported Schieber, discussing his dedication and contributions during his years in the country (Hunter 1976). “Tactics” also published articles that outlined the political punishment that awaited Schieber if he were to be deported back to Israel (Hunter 1976). Haviv Schieber discusses the political devotions and hardships of his life in a book written in 1987. Schieber recounts his experiences as far back to when he was a young man in Poland when he worked to help Polish Jews escape Nazism to Palestine. Yet, Schieber would eventually disconnect with the Israeli government as well(Schieber & Martin 1987). 

The bureaucratic process further complicates the already complex nature of an immigrant’s request for residency in the United States. In the case of Schieber seeking political asylum, the arguments offered by Schieber’s supporters agree with the Vincentian ideas expressed in St. John’s University’s mission to scaffold exceptional professional endeavors with the ethical awareness to affect the future for the better (St. John’s University 2015). It demonstrates an understanding that we can improve the future by questioning our systems today.

References

Anderson, Christopher. n.d. “Ashbrook – Congressional Record.” https://schiebermatter.wordpress.com/ashbrook-congressional-record/.

Center for Migration Studies of New York (CMS). 2015. “Guide to the Arthur P. (“Skip”) Endres Papers CMS.105.” https://cmsny.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/cms_105.pdf.

Edward Hunter, “Latest Chapter in Saga of Haviv Schieber: Dinner in Prison Garb at Blackie’s.” Tactics 13, no. 11(November 1976): 9-10, https://www.jstor.org/stable/10.2307/community.28147199.

Haviv Schieber and Len Martin. “Holy Land Betrayed.” 1987. http://media.jthnx5wyvjvzsxtu.onion.pet/pdfs/src/1456437635224-0.pdf.

St. John’s University. 2015. “St. John’s Mission and Values.” https://online.stjohns.edu/about-us/mission.