Notpashut, R’ Wasserman was offered several times visas for himself and his talmidim to stay in the US, and not just in YU, Torah Vodas offered visas as well. He refused and he, and his talmidim died. The same can be said for many other rebbes and roshei yeshivahs who told their talmidim to stay. Let’s not rewrite history and place all the blame on the Zionists.
BTW, I can see why some people would not want to pay $250. IIRC, there are actual halachic shailas with this.