Document 206-10001-10006, released in 2025, includes an internal CIA transport coordination memo noting that Oswald’s approved return port to the U.S. - initially listed as New Orleans - was quietly changed to New York just days before his arrival in June 1962.
The change wasn’t initiated by Oswald or his travel handler. It was made by an unnamed U.S. “intermediate party,” and no reason was ever entered into the official log.
The paper trail ends with a one-line update: “Port updated per routing memo 14A/5 - no justification attached.”
🛬 A Planned Return To New Orleans - Suddenly Redirected
Oswald’s repatriation approval, issued after months of back-and-forth from the U.S. embassy in Moscow, initially cleared him for reentry via New Orleans International Airport - a logical choice, given his family ties and prior residence.
But a short administrative note in the CIA’s repatriation folder tells a different story.
“Travel contractor confirms flight destination change from MSY [New Orleans] to JFK [New York City] logged June 1, 1962.”
This change was made two days before Oswald’s flight.
🕵️♂️ Who Made The Switch?
The internal memo includes a field labeled “initiating office,” which is blank.
The next line simply states:
“Adjusted routing per interagency review. Routing memo 14A/5 triggered revision.”
However, the referenced memo - 14A/5 - is not included in any known CIA release and remains classified or unarchived.
The result?
📌 Oswald flew into New York
📌 He was met by a low-level customs officer
📌 No explanation was recorded for the change
🛑 Why It Matters
In Cold War-era travel security procedures, entry port designation was critical - especially for former defectors.
Changes had to be justified, logged, and approved through both the State Department and FBI field coordination units.
This one wasn’t.
“No secondary customs file prepared at original port. Subject’s arrival record was re-filed post-entry,” the memo notes.
Which means: Oswald arrived at a place with no preparations, no flagged alert, and no enhanced inspection procedure.
📉 The Risk That Got Ignored
Had Oswald entered through New Orleans, he would have arrived under his original travel file - which contained notes from his defection, his wife’s background, and multiple interview recommendations.
That file was not forwarded to New York in time.
So instead, Oswald entered the U.S. through an airport that treated him like a standard citizen.
The memo ends bluntly:
“Subject reentered under default inspection status. No anomaly raised.”
🧨 A Port Change That Erased The Red Tape
We still don’t know who changed Oswald’s port of entry - or why.
But one thing is clear: whoever did it ensured he got back into the U.S. quietly.
And that change erased the last procedural chance to stop him - or question him - before Dallas.