He was a minor. He was a human being, not a parcel. If his identity was in doubt, WHO would they have sent him back to? Re-address him to CARE OF THE AIRPORT?
Today yes, but 40-50 yrs back they didn’t care IF you were a parcel. Long before I applied for the U.S. visa I was on my way to your country, and the Australien Consulate/Ambassy was total different than the U.S.’s. The different like day and night!!!