Escape of refugees from Europe, already seriously hampered by lack of shipping, has been further restricted as a result of a new United States order, received at the consulate here, barring issuance of visas to refugees having close relatives in Germany and occupied territories, it was learned today.
The order, obviously aimed at preventing admission of those who might subsequently be subjected to German pressure and threat of reprisals against relatives, came as a severe shock to hundreds who were anticipating emigration soon. A large number of refugees have been served with expulsion orders and are facing imprisonment.
Among the cases already affected by the order are several who received emergency visas from the President’s Advisory Committee on Refugees. Some of these have been served with expulsion notices and will be imprisoned unless able to show American visas. Even emergency cases are required to submit proof that they have no relatives in German or occupied territory.
If the order is not modified, emigration will in the future be restricted to individuals without families or entire families leaving simultaneously. A delegation of representatives of refugee-assistance agencies, headed by Morris C. Troper of the Joint Distribution Committee and also including the Quakers and Unitarians, will confer with Consul-General S. H. Wylie on Monday regarding operation of the instructions.
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