Approximately 200 Jewish refugees who are in possession of entry visas to various Latin American countries are stranded here as a result of delays at the U.S. Consulate where they must obtain transit visas necessary for passing through the western part of the United States.
The refugees have all passed a special medical examination, required by the American consul, and have submitted the necessary visa applications which were transmitted to Washington for approval. However, no approval has been received as yet. The Latin American immigration visas may expire if the immigrants are delayed much longer.
The refugees are especially depressed by an announcement that due to a shortage in personnel, the consulate is not able to issue visas except in special instances. “It is a grim joke that because of the lack of a few typists in the office of the American consulate two hundred homeless Jews cannot reach their destination and start a new life,” a spokesman for the refugees said today.
Many of the refugees have immigration visas to Argentina, Brazil and Bolivia. Others are in possession of visas for settlement in Chile, Ecuador, Uruguay, the Dominican Republic, Venezuela, Colombia, Paraguay and Mexico.
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