867N.55/212
The British Embassy to the Department of State
The Foreign Office state confidentially that they are thinking of granting the Jewish Agency’s recent request that the ban on admission into Palestine of immigrants from enemy countries, or territories occupied by the enemy, might be relaxed in respect of children up to 15 years.
In present circumstances, of course the grant of this request naturally depends on the United States authorities in enemy territories being willing to undertake, in this connexion, the work formerly performed by British Passport Control Officers.
It is not thought that very much work would be involved, aside from the production of a certificate of health for the prospective immigrant and the establishment of his identity. Most of the applications for immigration certificates will no doubt be made by the children’s relatives either in Palestine or in the United States and if they are approved the Government of Palestine will probably issue some form of immigration certificate which would be forwarded to the American Consulate concerned.
It is desired to know whether the State Department would be willing in principle that American Consular Officers concerned should assume these additional duties on behalf of His Majesty’s Government. If so, the authorities in London will no doubt provide the necessary guidance for the Consular Officers concerned.