No American Visas Will Be Issued in Germany and Italy; State Dept. Defines Regulations

The possibility of residents of Germany and Italy obtaining visas for the United States without first going to another country is excluded with the closing of the American consulates in those two countries, according to an interpretation of the new immigration regulations given today by the State Department. The United States embassies in Berlin and Rome, it was said, will not issue visas.

Under this interpretation, unless Nazi and Fascist authorities will give a person intending to leave either of these countries for the United States some documentary evidence of their willingness to allow him to leave, which he may send to a United States consulate in some other country, his possibility of obtaining an American visa appears hopeless.

Under present regulations, it was explained, proposed immigrants from all lands must submit to the State Department a complete and detailed biography, giving their entecedents and history. In addition, two affidavits respecting the immigrant must be filed by sponsors in the United States. If there is any doubt as to the proposed immigrant’s ability to support himself financially, it was said, his sponsors must guarantee his living. Otherwise they merely sponsor him as a person whose morals and character and lack of subversive purposes entitle him to enter the United States.

All affidavits of sponsorship as well as the intending immigrants biographical statement must be submitted to the State Department for review, it was said. After being studied by the interdepartmental committee, they will be sent with a recommendation to the consul in Europe who is handling the case. The consul then will communicate with the intended immigrant, it was said, advising him to submit evidence of his ability to reach the United States. This would include both financial ability and ability to obtain an exit visa from the land in which he is a resident. In the case of aliens in German occupied countries, it was added, they must give evidence of their ability to reach some other land before visas can be granted.

The more rigid requirements with regard to affidavits of support and sponsorship in behalf of aliens desiring to proceed to the United States were explained today by officials of the State Department. The affidavit may be executed by an American citizen or by an alien lawfully admitted to the United States for permanent residence. The affidavit may cover the members of a family group proceeding together to the United States. Two letters of reference from American citizens who know the person, signing the affidavit, must be attached.