Report of the President's Commission on the Assassination of President John F. Kennedy

Commission Finding on Oswald’s Expatriation Status

Commission Finding on Oswald’s Expatriation Status Based on the analysis of the three statutory provisions, the Commission concludes that Lee Harvey Oswald had not expatriated himself by any acts performed between October 16, 1959, and May 1962. The Commission concurs in the opinion of the State Department that his passport was properly returned to him in July 1961 and properly reissued in May 1962.

Marina Oswald U.S. Entry Authorization

Marina Oswald U.S. Entry Authorization On July 11, 1961, Lee Harvey Oswald and his wife appeared at the American Embassy in Moscow before John A. McVickar, where they executed papers to begin procedures for Marina’s admittance to the United States as a nonquota immigrant as the wife of an American citizen. During the routine interview, Marina stated she was a member of the Trade Union of Medical Workers but denied membership in the Komsomol or any other Communist organization. Marina later admitted to the Commission that she had been a member of the Komsomol but claimed she was expelled when it was learned she intended to accompany her husband to the United States. The Embassy forwarded the application papers to the State Department on August 28, 1961.

Embassy Visa Negotiations for Marina

Embassy Visa Negotiations for Marina Marina Oswald’s ability to obtain a nonquota immigrant visa depended on the favorable resolution of three questions: (1) whether she was the wife of an American citizen, which depended on whether Oswald had expatriated himself; (2) whether she was not and had not been affiliated with a Communist organization on other than an involuntary basis; and (3) whether she was not likely to become a public charge after admission. A fourth issue arose under section 243(g) of the Immigration and Nationality Act, which prohibits issuance of immigrant visas by American Consuls in countries that have refused to accept or delayed accepting the return of persons sought to be deported—the Soviet Union having been designated as such a country in 1953. However, sanctions under section 243(g) are often waived, and Marina could alternatively obtain her visa at an American Embassy in another country if otherwise entitled.