From the Jews to the Tamils

📖 The Scoop

Argues that Britain's reputation as a country of asylum has never been justified, indicating a similarity between the rejection of refugees today and previous policy towards Jewish refugees. Pt. 2 (pp. 10-22), "All in the Same Boat", was published in the journal "Immigration and Nationality Law and Practice" (Jan 1988). Describes cases of denial of appeals by refugees from Russia and Romania after the Aliens Act of 1905. The Aliens Restriction Act of 1919 consolidated the Home Secretary's arbitrary power to deport aliens. After 1933 refugees were only admitted if the Jewish community undertook to support them, in view of unemployment in Britain, and in May 1938 impossible visa requirements were imposed on Jews fleeing Germany and Austria. also discusses the internment of Jews as enemy aliens after the outbreak of war, following an antisemitic and anti-communist press campaign. Focuses on internment camps in the Manchester area, and mentions weak labor movement opposition to the internment.

Genre: Political Science / Public Policy / Immigration (fancy, right?)