A move to halt Jewish immigration to Cuba got under way in Congress today with introduction of a bill by Congressman Pedro Mendieta, chairman of the Immigration Committee.
The bill coincided with a conference between Dr. Mendieta and President Laredo Bru, in which the former asked for a presidential decree banning immigration of Jews from Europe until Congress could act on his measure. Dr. Mendieta also demanded that the decree be made to cover 1,000 German Jews scheduled to arrive in Cuba this month on the steamer San Luis.
Support for the anti-immigration drive was voiced by the liberal Havana newspaper El Pueblo, which featured an article declaring that entry of Jews from Europe would have an adverse effect on Cuba’s already poor economic position.
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.
