Here is a chronology of the events:
1. Departure from Hamburg, Germany: In mid-May 1939, a German ocean liner, the MS St. Louis, set out from Hamburg, Germany, carrying 937 mostly Jewish passengers. These passengers had obtained Cuban tourist visas, intending to find refuge from the increasing Nazi oppression and the prospect of the imminent war in Europe.
2. Arrival Near Florida Coast: The St. Louis sailed across the Atlantic and arrived near the coast of Florida in early June 1939. The ship's passengers eagerly anticipated being granted permission to disembark and enter the United States, considering it a safe haven.
3. Diplomatic and Public Pressure: The influx of European refugees seeking entry to the US had already generated significant internal conflict and immigration restrictions. With rising sentiments against immigration, President Franklin D. Roosevelt's administration faced pressure to keep out "undesirable" foreigners, including Jewish refugees.
4. Rejection by United States: Despite fervent appeals from Jewish organizations, the US Coast Guard and immigration officials denied the St. Louis's passengers permission to land. The ship was ordered to remain in international waters, awaiting a possible solution.
5. Failure to Negotiate Alternatives: The US administration engaged in negotiations with Cuba and other countries regarding potential destinations for the refugees. However, the discussions failed to produce a viable resolution, leaving the passengers in limbo between US and Cuban territorial waters.
6. Return to Europe: After spending several days in distressing conditions, the St. Louis had no other option but to change its course and return to Europe in late June 1939. This resulted in a great deal of distress among the passengers, who had hoped for asylum and a new beginning.
7. Fate of Passengers: The decision to force the St. Louis to return to Europe is believed to have placed its passengers in great peril. Upon their return, they encountered increasing antisemitism in Europe and the escalating conflict of World War II. Many faced severe persecution, imprisonment, and tragic fates.
The refusal to grant asylum to Jewish refugees aboard the St. Louis represented a significant failure in international diplomacy, immigration policies, and refugee protection during a time of immense human crisis. It tragically underscores the reluctance of many countries, including the United States, to take action against the escalating persecution and genocide of European Jews.