American Committee for Protection of Foreign Born

American Committee for Protection of Foreign Born was a non-governmental organization founded in 1933 by International Labor Defense and Abraham Lincoln Brigade veterans to protect the rights of immigrants and refugees in the United States. The organization was closely tied to the American Civil Liberties Union and the National Lawyers Guild, and worked to defend the rights of foreign-born individuals, including those accused of being Communist Party USA members, such as Herbert Biberman and Paul Robeson. The committee also worked with other organizations, including the Congress of Industrial Organizations and the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, to advocate for the rights of labor unions and civil rights.

● History

The American Committee for Protection of Foreign Born was founded in response to the growing Red Scare and the Palmer Raids, which targeted immigrants and left-wing activists, including Emma Goldman and Alexander Berkman. The organization's early work focused on defending foreign-born individuals accused of sedition and espionage, including Ethel Rosenberg and Julius Rosenberg. The committee also worked to expose the House Un-American Activities Committee and its blacklist of suspected communists, which included Hollywood Ten members such as Dalton Trumbo and John Howard Lawson. During World War II, the organization advocated for the rights of Japanese Americans and Italian Americans who were facing internment and discrimination, with the support of organizations like the American Jewish Congress and the National Council of Churches.

● Purpose and Activities

The American Committee for Protection of Foreign Born aimed to protect the rights of foreign-born individuals, including naturalized citizens and undocumented immigrants, from deportation and discrimination. The organization provided legal aid and advocacy services to individuals facing deportation proceedings, including those accused of being members of the Communist Party USA, such as William Z. Foster and Earl Browder. The committee also worked to educate the public about the issues faced by immigrants and refugees, including racism and xenophobia, through events and publications, often in collaboration with organizations like the American Friends Service Committee and the League of Women Voters. Additionally, the organization advocated for immigration reform and civil rights legislation, including the McCarran-Walter Act and the Civil Rights Act of 1964, with the support of congressional leaders like Hubert Humphrey and Jacob Javits.

● Notable Members

The American Committee for Protection of Foreign Born had a number of notable members, including Abraham Lincoln Brigade veterans such as Milton Wolff and Robert Merriman, as well as labor leaders like Harry Bridges and Cesar Chavez. The organization also had close ties to the Hollywood Left, with members including screenwriters like Ring Lardner Jr. and Albert Maltz, and actors like Paul Robeson and Larry Adler. Other notable members included civil rights activists like W.E.B. Du Bois and Langston Hughes, as well as academics like Howard Fast and Pete Seeger. The committee also worked with international organizations, such as the International Labor Organization and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, to advocate for the rights of refugees and migrants worldwide.

● Controversies and Criticisms

The American Committee for Protection of Foreign Born faced criticism and controversy throughout its history, particularly due to its ties to the Communist Party USA and its defense of accused communists. The organization was blacklisted by the House Un-American Activities Committee and its members were subject to Red-baiting and McCarthyism, with some members, like Elizabeth Gurley Flynn, facing imprisonment and deportation. The committee was also criticized for its support of left-wing causes and its opposition to anti-communist legislation, including the McCarran Internal Security Act and the Subversive Activities Control Act. Despite these challenges, the organization continued to advocate for the rights of foreign-born individuals and civil rights, with the support of organizations like the American Civil Liberties Union and the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People.

● Legacy and Impact

The American Committee for Protection of Foreign Born played an important role in the history of immigration and civil rights in the United States. The organization's work helped to protect the rights of foreign-born individuals and refugees, and its advocacy efforts contributed to the passage of important legislation, including the Immigration and Nationality Act of 1965 and the Refugee Act of 1980. The committee's legacy can also be seen in the work of modern immigrant rights organizations, such as the National Immigration Law Center and the American Immigration Lawyers Association, which continue to advocate for the rights of immigrants and refugees today, often in collaboration with organizations like the Southern Poverty Law Center and the Human Rights Watch. The organization's history and impact have been recognized by scholars and historians, including Harvey Klehr and John Earl Haynes, who have written about the committee's role in the history of the American Left. Category:Immigration to the United States