Eleanor Roosevelt, the longest serving First Lady in United States history, from 1933 to 1945, was a passionate advocate for human rights and social justice, and her commitment to helping refugees during World War II is a testament to her humanitarian spirit. As the conflict of World War II in Europe escalated and millions were displaced, she used her influence to address the refugee crisis, despite significant political and social obstacles.
During the 1930s and 1940s, as Nazi persecution intensified, countless Jewish and political refugees sought asylum in the United States. However, restrictive immigration policies (Immigration Act of 1924 which established strict quotas) and antisemitic sentiment made it exceedingly difficult for them to find refuge. The Roosevelt administration, constrained by political pressures and public opinion, was often hesitant to take decisive action to increase immigration quotas. Despite these challenges, Eleanor Roosevelt became a vocal and persistent advocate for the displaced.
As First Lady, Eleanor used her social and political influence where and when she could to bring the crisis before the American people and to intervene on behalf of refugees. In the mid-1930s, she supported organizations aiding Spanish refugee children during the Spanish Civil War. In February 1939, several months after Kristallnacht, when Senator Robert Wagner of New York and Representative Edith Rogers of Massachusetts introduced a bill to permit the entry of 20,000 German refugee children, ages 14 and under, into the United States over the course of two years, she added her name to the list of supporters. At a press conference, Eleanor told reporters the bill was “a wise way to do a humanitarian act.” But despite her vigorous support, the Wagner-Rogers bill died in committee.
One of Eleanor Roosevelt’s most significant contributions to refugee advocacy was her support for the establishment of the Emergency Rescue Committee (ERC) in 1940. The ERC worked to assist intellectuals, artists, and political refugees stranded in Vichy, France, helping them escape to safer territories. Though not directly responsible for its creation, Roosevelt’s influence helped garner support for the organization.
Eleanor also played a crucial role in advocating for the creation of the War Refugee Board (WRB) in 1944, an agency dedicated to the rescue and relief of Holocaust victims. Although the board was established later in the war, it played an essential role in saving tens of thousands of lives. Eleanor’s unwavering advocacy helped push her husband, President Franklin D. Roosevelt, and his administration to take more active measures in aiding refugees.
Beyond policy influence, Eleanor Roosevelt raised public awareness by writing extensively on the plight of refugees in "My Day," a syndicated column that Mrs. Roosevelt penned six days a week from 1935 to 1962 to discuss many topics and express her opinions. She urged Americans to show compassion and to overcome prejudices that fueled opposition to accepting refugees. Her writings often emphasized the moral duty of the United States to assist those in desperate need. After the war, in December 1945, Mrs. Roosevelt specifically acknowledged the importance of her task for women and to the youth who had fought in the war.
While the overall U.S. response to the refugee crisis during World War II fell short of what was needed, Eleanor Roosevelt’s humanitarian efforts laid the groundwork for a more compassionate and proactive stance in the post-war era. Her tireless advocacy demonstrated her commitment to social justice and remains an enduring legacy of her dedication to human rights.
Eleanor Roosevelt and Fort Ontario Emergency Refugee Shelter
During World War II, as thousands of refugees fled the horrors of Nazi-occupied Europe, the United States maintained strict immigration quotas that limited asylum opportunities. However, in 1944, First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt played a key role in establishing a bold exception to these restrictive policies: the Fort Ontario Emergency Refugee Shelter in Oswego, New York.
Fort Ontario became the only refugee camp in the United States during the war, offering sanctuary to 982 European refugees, most of whom were Jewish. President Franklin D. Roosevelt authorized the camp’s creation in response to increasing pressure from humanitarian advocates, including Eleanor Roosevelt herself. While the decision was a small breakthrough, it was not without controversy. Refugees at Fort Ontario were admitted as “guests” rather than immigrants, meaning they were expected to return to Europe after the war, which reflected the nation’s ongoing reluctance to fully embrace refugee resettlement under a quota system.
Eleanor Roosevelt’s influence on the establishment of Fort Ontario stemmed from her deep commitment to human rights and her recognition of the urgent need to rescue those in peril. Although her husband’s administration remained cautious about broad refugee admissions, Eleanor tirelessly advocated for greater compassion and action. In September 1944, she visited the shelter, spoke with refugees, and listened to their stories, demonstrating her genuine empathy and desire to understand their experiences.
