John Ross Robertson and wife, Louise, can't prove he's citizen
Alternative Title
Valley Times Photo Collection
Contributor
This project was supported in whole or in part by the U.S. Institute of Museum and Library Services under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act, administered in California by the State Librarian. Made accessible through a grant from the John Randolph Haynes and Dora Haynes Foundation and Photo Friends.
Title supplied by cataloger. Mr. Robertson was born in Canada to a Canadian mother and an American father. Apparently, his parents lived and worked in Detroit when his mother decided to return to Canada to be with her family for John's birth. When she returned to Detroit with John 6 weeks old , she did not register her son at the border crossing, thus there's no proof John entered the U.S. legally. Despite all the other documents proving his U.S. citizenship, adoption agencies and the U.S. State Department refused to recognize him as a U.S. citizen. Robertson ended up applying for citizenship papers and the adoption agencies okayed him for adopting on the grounds he applied for citizenship. In December 1960 the Robertson's adopted a baby girl, Janie. Photograph caption dated September 22, 1959 reads, "Can't Prove He's Citizen -- John Ross Robertson and his wife, Lousie, of Pacoima, display honorable U.S. Merchant Marine discharge papers, passport and other date [sic] attesting to his citizenship. Lack of his legal entry proof into United States is preventing couple from adopting baby. Adoption agencies say he's still not a citizen."
Type
image
Format
1 photographic print :b&w ; 26 x 21 cm. Photographic prints
Citizenship--United States Adoption--California Husband and wife--California--Los Angeles Pacoima (Los Angeles, Calif.) Valley Times Collection photographs
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