II 111th CONGRESS 1st Session S. 564 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES March 10, 2009 Mr. Feingold (for himself, Mr. Grassley, Mr. Lieberman, Mr. Kennedy, Mr. Cardin, and Mr. Wyden) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and 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, requiring them to carry Certificates of Identification and limiting their travel and personal property rights. At that time, these groups were the two 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, thousands of European Latin Americans, including German and Austrian Jews, were arrested, relocated to the United States, and interned. Many were later repatriated or deported to European Axis nations during World War II and 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 German American and Italian 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 or genocide and sought safety in the United States. During the 1930s and 1940s, 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)

German Americans

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

Italian Americans

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

European Latin Americans

The term European Latin Americans refers to persons of European ancestry, including German or Italian 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 Caribbean.