110 HR 1185 IH: Wartime Treatment Study U.S. House of Representatives 2007-02-16 text/xml EN Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

I 110th CONGRESS 1st Session H. R. 1185 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES February 16, 2007 Mr. Wexler (for himself, Ms. Bordallo, Mr. Honda, and Mr. Becerra) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary A BILL To establish commissions to review the facts and circumstances surrounding injustices suffered by European Americans, European Latin Americans, and Jewish refugees during World War II.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Wartime Treatment Study Act.

2.

Findings

Congress makes the following findings: (1)During World War II, the United States Government deemed as enemy aliens more than 600,000 Italian-born and 300,000 German-born United States resident aliens and their families and required them to carry Certificates of Identification and limited their travel and personal property rights. At that time, these groups were the 2 largest foreign-born groups in the United States. (2)During World War II, the United States Government arrested, interned, or otherwise detained thousands of European Americans, some remaining in custody for years after cessation of World War II hostilities, and repatriated, exchanged, or deported European Americans, including American-born children, to European Axis nations, many to be exchanged for Americans held in those nations. (3)Pursuant to a policy coordinated by the United States with Latin American nations, many European Latin Americans, including German and Austrian Jews, were arrested, brought to the United States, and interned. Many were later expatriated, repatriated, or deported to European Axis nations during World War II, many to be exchanged for Americans and Latin Americans held in those nations. (4)Millions of European Americans served in the armed forces and thousands sacrificed their lives in defense of the United States. (5)The wartime policies of the United States Government were devastating to the Italian American and German American communities, individuals, and their families. The detrimental effects are still being experienced. (6)Prior to and during World War II, the United States restricted the entry of Jewish refugees who were fleeing persecution and sought safety in the United States. During the 1930’s and 1940’s, the quota system, immigration regulations, visa requirements, and the time required to process visa applications affected the number of Jewish refugees, particularly those from Germany and Austria, who could gain admittance to the United States. (7)The United States Government should conduct an independent review to fully assess and acknowledge these actions. Congress has previously reviewed the United States Government's wartime treatment of Japanese Americans through the Commission on Wartime Relocation and Internment of Civilians. An independent review of the treatment of German Americans and Italian Americans and of Jewish refugees fleeing persecution and genocide has not yet been undertaken. (8)Time is of the essence for the establishment of commissions, because of the increasing danger of destruction and loss of relevant documents, the advanced age of potential witnesses and, most importantly, the advanced age of those affected by the United States Government’s policies. Many who suffered have already passed away and will never know of this effort.

3.

Definitions

In this Act: (1)

During World War II

The term during World War II refers to the period between September 1, 1939, through December 31, 1948. (2)

European Americans

(A)

In general

The term European Americans refers to United States citizens and resident aliens of European ancestry, including Italian Americans, German Americans, Hungarian Americans, Romanian Americans, and Bulgarian Americans. (B)

Italian Americans

The term Italian Americans refers to United States citizens and resident aliens of Italian ancestry. (C)

German Americans

The term German Americans refers to United States citizens and resident aliens of German ancestry. (3)

European Latin Americans

The term European Latin Americans refers to persons of European ancestry, including Italian or German ancestry, residing in a Latin American nation during World War II. (4)

Latin American nation

The term Latin American nation refers to any nation in Central America, South America, or the Carribean.