840.48 Refugees/1407: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Chargé in the United Kingdom (Johnson)
128. For Myron Taylor from the Under Secretary. Your 206, February 11, 11 a.m. I have discussed the questions referred to in your telegram under acknowledgment very fully with the Brazilian Minister for Foreign Affairs. Aranha informs me that the Brazilian Government has already authorized the entrance into Brazil of refugees who are bona fide relatives within a certain degree of relationship with persons already legally residing in Brazil. He states that the Brazilian Government has not adopted a “closed door” policy but has, on the contrary, permitted considerable numbers of refugees to enter Brazil, and mentioned as a specific case the permission granted shortly before his own departure for the United States for 800 Jewish families to enter one of the states in southern Brazil. He further stated that Lobo36 was authorized to inform the Committee at its present meeting that the Brazilian Government was disposed to permit the entry into Brazil immediately of 3,000 refugees.
I have requested the officers in the Department who are handling refugee matters to discuss fully these questions with Muniz, who has accompanied Aranha to Washington and who is the official in the Brazilian Government in direct charge of immigration policy. A full report of these conversations will later be sent to you.
I am taking occasion to mention to Aranha the words of commendation with regard to Lobo included in your telegram No. 227 of February 15, 10 a.m.37 I know that it will be gratifying to both. [Welles.]