Canada Liberalizes Term ‘refugee’ for Admission of Immigrants

Canadian immigration officers overseas have been ordered to interpret liberally the definition of the term “refugee,” in such a way that more Jewish immigrants may now be admitted to Canada, it was learned here today.

Under the new instructions, refugee status will be accorded to any person “unable or unwilling to travel on a national passport, regardless of how he entered the country in which he now resides.” The Canadian Jewish Congress has been urging for five years that the term “refugee” be liberalized. Now, it is felt, prospective Jewish immigrants whose applications for entry had been rejected may have their cases reopened.