The Jewish Trail of Tears The Evian Conference of ... - Haruth.com

1938 the Mexican Government enacted additional and more restrictive entry
requirements. The Secretary of the Interior, Ignacio Garcia Tellez, decreed the Republic
would admit stateless refugees “only in exceptional cases of notorious benefit for the
country…” Such “petitioners for admittance must affirm categorically that they have no
racial prejudices and that they are prepared to form Mexican mestizo families [by
marrying Indians]” and thus, facilitate the process of assimilation. Preferential treatment
would be granted to single males less than twenty five years of age. 32
Dr. Alfredo Carbonell Debali, the Uruguayan delegate, stated that his
Government had given the “most sympathetic consideration to the generous [American]
initiative” and like the other delegates, cited his nation’s humanitarian traditions towards
immigrants but any consideration to admit refugees was contingent on Uruguay’s
economy and the “urgent necessity for populating rural areas.” The country’s
developmental priorities lay in the agricultural and stock-breeding sector and
consequently a background in these areas was a prerequisite for admission. The ability of
the national government to provide for immigration and assimilation was limited and any
necessary finances must be provided by private organizations in other countries. The
Government was, however, “favorable to the realization of this generous and
humanitarian work of international cooperation.” 33
residency would be awarded if they did not violate any immigration laws and remained within the country
for five years. “Mexico Will Admit Austrian Refugees,” The Southern Israelite, June 17, 1938, 1.
13.
32 Frank L. Kluckhohn, “Mexico Sends Back Germany Refugees,” New York Times, November 2, 1938,
33 “Proceedings,” July 9, 1938, 29-30. Carbonelli later served as Ambassador to the Holy See.
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