Rav Elchonon Wasserman zt”l said it was better to stay in war torn Europe, risking ones physical lie, then to accept a VISA to go to YU in America, thereby risking ones spiritual life. Here is the text the letter:
“Baruch Hashem, Erev Shabbos Kodesh Naso
I received your letters but I have no ability to do anything with this, thus I did not respond.
The yeshivos in America which are able to bring over students are the yeshivas of Dr. Revel (named Yeshiva University) in New York and Beis Midrash L’Torah in Chicago and they both are places of danger in terms of spirituality because they conduct themselves in a spirit of freedom, and what benefit is there to flee from a physical danger to a spiritual danger, but I sent your letter to the revered Gaon, Rabbi Moshe Heiman, Dean of Mesivtha Torah V’Daas in Brooklyn and I suggested that he request of the revered Dean of the Mirrer Yeshiva that he should also write to Brooklyn to the address below:
Rabbi Shlomo Heiman
92 Martin Street
America
Blessing you with life and peace and all good things forever,
Elchanan Bunim Wasserman”