Effective June 25, 1948 | Public law 80-774 | |
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Long title An act to authorize for a limited period of time the admission into the United States of certain European displaced persons for permanent residence, and for other purposes Statutes at Large 62 Stat. 1009, Chapter 647 Titles amended 50 U.S.C.: War and National Defense |
The Displaced Persons Act of 1948 (Pub.L. 80–774) authorized for a limited period of time the admission into the United States of certain European displaced persons for permanent residence.
Contents
The program emerged from the enormous need to handle millions of displaced persons in Europe at the end of World War II. The United States helped fund temporary camps, and admitted large numbers as permanent residents. Truman strongly supported the program, and obtained ample funding from Congress for the 1948 Displaced Persons Act. He also supported Jewish refugees in Palestine/Israel, but generally kept his actions quiet so as not to arouse anti-Semitism. Historians Phil Orchard and Jamie Gillies hail Truman's "atypical leadership" in helping refugees. Truman signed it into law on June 25, 1948.
Proclamations of the Act
Eligible displaced person - any displaced person or refugee as defined by Annex I of the Constitution of the International Refugee Organization. A displaced person is eligible for admission to the United States given the conditions on or after September 1, 1939 and on or before December 22, 1945.
Immigration visas - limitations of visa quotas for eligible displaced persons as authorized by the Act
Displaced Persons Commission
The Displaced Persons Commission was created with the enactment of the U.S. Senate S. 2242 bill. The Commission provided oversight of the U.S. displaced persons organization from June 25, 1948 through August 31, 1952.
During the four years of the Commission legislative oversight, President Truman issued Executive Orders petitioning the Commission for investigative reports concerning the activities of the U.S. displaced persons affairs.