Refraining from recommending any changes in the existing immigration laws, or in the immigration quota, the interdepartmental Committee charged with approving visas for refugees has decided to suggest a more liberal approach to visa applications, in order to enable more refugees to enter the United States.
The Interdepartmental Committee consists of representatives of the State Department, War Department, Navy Department and the Department of Justice. Its present recommendations, it is understood, suggest the elimination of the requirement that the applicant for a visa to the United States must prove that he will be a benefit to the country if admitted. Another suggestion urges the simplifying of the application forms for visas which are now very complicated. It also recommends the simplification of the questions which the applicant is asked in connection with national security.
Should the recommendations be accepted by all departments concerned, the procedure for admission of refugees from Europe will be much reformed, to the benefit of the applicants for visas. The existing immigration quota, which permits more than 150,000 persons to immigrate yearly to the United States, has not been filled for a number of years despite the fact that thousands of Jews in Europe are seeking refuge.
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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.
