Present Visa Applications Total Only Ten Percent of Pre-war Quota

If all the applications for entrance visas to the United States which are now being considered by the Federal authorities were granted, the total number of immigrants would still be only ten percent of the pre-war immigration quota, Dr. Frederick P. Keppel, member of the Presidential Board of Appeals on Visa Cases, told a special dinner meeting of the National Refugee Service last night. Dr. Keppel pointed out that the government is continuing to admit selected immigrants, even from enemy countries, because many of them have made valuable contributions to the war effort.

Earl G. Harrison, Commissioner of the United States Immigration and Naturalization Service, revealed that his office had been instructed to expedite the citizenship petitions of all alien physicians, adding that “they have greatly enriched and strengthened the United States.” At the business session of the meeting, the executive committee was enlarged by the addition of Herman W. Block, Monroe Goldwater, Mrs. Henry Ittleson and Peter I, B. Lavan, all of New York.