The United States Consulate at Casablanca has begun examination of the cases of eighty Jewish, refugees held in internment camps near that city whose American immigration visas expired while they were awaiting transportation, it was learned here today.
M. Spaniea, representative of the HIAS-ICA Immigration Association, who flew to Casablanca from Marseille to aid 322 interned Jewish refugees there, reported that several of the expired visas have already been renewed. The consular authorities are referring to Washington the cases in which the refugees have close relatives in occupied territories.
The Brazilian consul in Casablanca, Mr. Spanien reported, has asked his government for permission to proceed in the cases of those refugees who had Brazilian visas which expired while they were stranded here.
These 322 refugees sailed from Marseille in three French ships bound for Martinique where the passengers were to trans-ship for their final destinations. The French government, however, ordered the ships to remain in North African ports to avoid the risk of detention by British patrols and their passengers were interned. About 390 of the original 700 passengers have already been enabled to processed on their way. At present among the refugees still at Casablanca 85 hold valid South American visas, 57 have Mexican visas, 20 have Cuban visas and 20 are in possession of visas for various other countries.
Help ensure Jewish news remains accessible to all. Your donation to the Jewish Telegraphic Agency powers the trusted journalism that has connected Jewish communities worldwide for more than 100 years. With your help, JTA can continue to deliver vital news and insights. Donate today.
The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.
