Climb Every Border

A classic movie’s untold immigration story

The Sound of Music turned 60 this March. 🎂🥳🎉 The beloved Rogers and Hammerstein musical was a hit in 1965, and today, the story of a family fleeing fascists and immigrating to freedom still resonates. The von Trapps were real people – with a well-documented connection to Philadelphia, yet. But their heartwarming narrative isn’t all that it seems. Indeed, the real truth reveals a unique and privileged journey to US citizenship.

Unlike so many refugees of their time, the von Trapps had advantages that made their escape possible: wealth, whiteness, and powerful friends in high places. Courage is great, but it’s not as helpful as access. And that’s where the movie and the reality part ways.

Forget the nail-biting chase over the Alps—the von Trapps’ actual departure from Austria was far less cinematic. They simply boarded a train to Italy. No desperate dash through the woods, no moonlit climb, just a family with well-timed tickets and a plan.

As far as running for your life goes, the von Trapps were a best-case scenario. They had money, they had Italian citizenship through Captain, and they were well-connected in the U.S. government. One of their biggest champions? Only the U.S. Secretary of Labor! Frances Perkins had a personal connection to the von Trapps through Philly philanthropist Gertrude Ely. Thanks to this network, the family’s visa process was not just expedited—it was extended multiple times, ultimately allowing them to stay forever.

In the late 1930s, Europe was unraveling. Millions of people—especially Jewish families—desperately sought safety in America. But U.S. immigration policies were notoriously strict, riddled with xenophobia and antisemitism.

The von Trapps, however, had a leg up. They were Caucasian. They were Christian. They were a musical sensation. And, crucially, they were well-funded with powerful advocates. While countless Jewish refugees were turned away at U.S. ports, left to fend for themselves in Nazi-occupied Europe, the von Trapps enjoyed a golden ticket to safety. Even when an offhand comment to an immigration official landed them in temporary detention, they quickly secured release—something that would have been impossible for most refugees at the time.

When the von Trapps first arrived at Ellis Island, a Philadelphia bishop personally vouched for them. Later, they were welcomed into the home of a Merion lawyer where they performed for neighbors (raising money and building support). This country gave the von Trapps a soft landing – good for us! It’s worth asking, though: How many other families without the right pedigrees were turned away?

One of the most glaring omissions in The Sound of Music is any mention of Jewish persecution. The film paints the von Trapps as fearless resistors of Nazi rule, but it never acknowledges the greater reality: they were not the Nazis’ primary targets.

Unlike Jewish families, who had their homes ransacked and were sent to concentration camps, the von Trapps were able to leave with their belongings, their dignity, and their lives. In fact, Rupert von Trapp—the eldest son—was offered a prestigious medical position in Austria that would have replaced Jewish doctors who had been forced out. He declined, but the offer itself speaks volumes about the differences in treatment.

The von Trapps’ journey to America is an impactful story—but let’s not mistake it for a universal one. Their success was shaped by race, class, and connections. And while their tale has inspired millions, it has also helped obscure the truth about America’s immigration history.

Today, as the U.S. grapples with new waves of immigration debates, the von Trapps’ story offers an important avenue for empathizing with families seeking safety from corrupt and violent regimes. Let’s extend that understanding to all the men, women, and children of different faiths, cultures, and classes, who find themselves desperate to survive through no fault of their own.

We can sing all we want about climbing every mountain, but real freedom is about making sure the path is clear for everyone.

🎫🤑 EZ PA$$ USA 🪙🪙

In February, the White House announced plans for a special “gold card” of residency privileges that foreign investors can purchase for $5 million – five times more than the Immigrant Investor Visa it’s replacing. The new golden visa is expected to be available as early as this month, and will include an expedited path to U.S. citizenship.

The US is already a top immigration destination for rich investors: in a typical year, about 8,000 people enter the country this way. Russian oligarchs, most of whom are under sanctions from the war in Ukraine, are encouraged to apply for this new entitlement by none other than the US president, who declared he personally knows some who are “very nice people.”

While the White House suggests the US could “sell maybe a million of these cards” for a potential profit of $50 trillion, experts warn against inflated expectations. “I do not believe the current POTUS offer will have a big impact, as getting a green card in the U.S., if you meet certain criteria, is not difficult,” said Bassim Haidar, a former UK non-domiciled multi-millionaire. “Paying $5 million for a golden visa and getting taxed on your global income defeats the purpose.”

The U.S.’ new golden passport comes as the European Union increases pressure on member states to scale back or eliminate residency-by-investment programs. Critics argue that such schemes provide only marginal GDP benefits, and heighten the risks of tax evasion and corruption. A joint study in 2021 by the London School of Economics and Harvard University found that EU golden visa programs contributed only a “miniscule” scare of foreign investment, with a “negligible” overall economic impact. The more you know! 🌈🚀🧠

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